National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 2 of 2 Research Studies DisplayedGanguli I, Lupo C, Mainor AJ
Assessment of prevalence and cost of care cascades after routine testing during the Medicare annual wellness visit.
This observational cohort study looked at the prevalence and cost of care cascades after routine tests considered low value in fee-for-service Medicare patients from January 2013 through March 2015 who had gone for an annual wellness visit (AWV). Among the 75,275 AWV recipients identified, 18.6% received at least 1 low-value test including an ECG, urinalysis, or thyrotropin tests. Patients who were younger, White, and lived in urban, high-income areas were most likely to receive those tests. The cost-cascade was considered notable but of modest cost.
AHRQ-funded; HS023812.
Citation: Ganguli I, Lupo C, Mainor AJ .
Assessment of prevalence and cost of care cascades after routine testing during the Medicare annual wellness visit.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Dec;3(12):e2029891. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.29891..
Keywords: Elderly, Medicare, Healthcare Costs, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Callaghan BC, Burke JF, Skolarus LE
Medicare's reimbursement reduction for nerve conduction studies: effect on use and payments.
The purpose of this research letter was to investigate the effect of the sharp reduction in Medicare reimbursement for electromyography (EMG) while the reimbursement for nerve conduction studies (NCS) remained unchanged. They found that the use of EMG by neurologists and physiatrists changed little, whereas a decrease in its use among other health care providers was observed. They concluded that the pattern of change in use of EMG and NCS suggests findings similar to those in past studies of Medicare reimbursement with regard to reducing inappropriate, but not appropriate, testing and treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS022258.
Citation: Callaghan BC, Burke JF, Skolarus LE .
Medicare's reimbursement reduction for nerve conduction studies: effect on use and payments.
JAMA Intern Med 2016 May;176(5):697-9. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.0162.
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Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Healthcare Costs, Payment, Medicare