CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine have retained their 1-2-3 ranking in the quality of care they provide to Medicare patients.

The study released this week updates a government report on patients treated in 1998-99. The new figures cover 2000-01.

“New Hampshire seniors should be comforted by the fact that they are receiving the highest-quality care from their physicians and hospitals,” said Dr. Albee Budnitz, president of the New Hampshire Medical Society.

Vermont’s high score was in large part due to “superb clinicians, nurses and doctors, who are attracted here by the academic medical centers and the quality of life,” said Dr. John Brumsted, chief medical officer at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.

“We have a very high level of professionalism and competency,” he said.

Steven Michaud, president of the Maine Hospital Association, said he was pleased Maine hospitals not only ranked high, but also had higher scores than the state’s previous ranking in 17 of 22 categories.

“While we are heartened by the results of the … study, Maine hospitals are committed to continually work to improve care,” he said.

Paul Harrington, executive director of the Vermont Medical Society, noted that Vermont provides high-quality care despite low payment from the Medicare system.

In 1998, he said, Vermont received $3,380 per Medicare beneficiary, while the national average was $5,465.

Budnitz noted that New Hampshire ranks among the bottom 10 states in Medicare reimbursement, which means doctors and hospitals and other health care providers must donate more time and equipment to properly care for seniors.

He noted that New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine have worked together in several areas, such as pulmonary and coronary artery diseases, to improve care.

The study measured the quality of in-patient and out-patient services provided to seniors for heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, pneumonia, breast cancer and diabetes. It also reviewed the time frames for administering certain medications, immunizations and screening tests.

For example, New Hampshire and Vermont each provided heart attack patients aspirin within 24 hours of hospitalization 92 percent of the time. In contrast, in Puerto Rico, the percentage was 70 percent, and in Georgia, it was 73 percent.

Nationally, the proportion of Medicare patients receiving appropriate care increased from 69.5 percent to 73.4 percent. On average, states improved on 20 of 22 quality indicators.

“The report shows we’re making important progress on quality health care delivery,” Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said.