National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
Data
- Data Infographics
- Data Visualizations
- Data Tools
- Data Innovations
- All-Payer Claims Database
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
- AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics
- State Snapshots
- United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)
- Data Sources Available from AHRQ
Search All Research Studies
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 4 of 4 Research Studies DisplayedEllison J, Wang C, Yarrington C
Insurance and geographic variations in non-invasive prenatal testing.
The purpose of this study was to estimate the population-level rate of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) uptake in Massachusetts and identify disparities based on patient zip-code and insurance type. The researchers identified pregnant patients aged 35 years or older at their delivery between 7/1/2015 to 12/31/2015 who were eligible for NIPT use, to assess the role of area‐level sociodemographic characteristics and NIPT uptake. The study reported that considerable geographic variation was discovered. Patients living in zip‐codes within and surrounding the Boston metropolitan area were more likely to receive NIPT, as were those living in Eastern MA. The observed NIPT rate (per 1000 pregnant individuals aged 35 and over) was 48.7 for Medicaid enrollees and 272.1 for commercial enrollees; 123.0 and 223.2 for patients living in a zip‐code with a high versus low proportion of Black/Hispanic residents; and 107.7 and 218.4 for those in a zip‐code with a high versus low proportion of low‐income residents. The researchers reported that birthing people covered by Medicaid were over five times less likely to receive NIPT than their counterparts with commercial coverage. Lower NIPT rates in zip‐codes with a high proportion of low‐income or Black/Hispanic residents also suggests that geographic variations in uptake may reflect racial/ethnic and income disparities independent of insurance coverage. The researchers concluded that the study findings emphasize the presence of substantial disparities in NIPT uptake based on insurance and zip-code of residence, and that further research is needed to identify barriers and facilitators to uptake and to evaluate interventions to address inequities in NIPT use.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Ellison J, Wang C, Yarrington C .
Insurance and geographic variations in non-invasive prenatal testing.
Prenat Diagn 2022 Jul;42(8):1004-07. doi: 10.1002/pd.6155..
Keywords: Pregnancy, Maternal Care, Women, Health Insurance, Screening
Cham S, Landrum MB, Keating NL
Use of germline BRCA testing in patients with ovarian cancer and commercial insurance.
The authors examined commercially insured populations to identify patient-, physician-, and practice-level characteristics associated with ovarian cancer testing rates. They found that only 33.9% of patients with commercial insurance were tested during the time period studied. Medical and gynecologic oncologists had similar rates of testing, while other physicians tested less often. Although independent practices often lack access to genetic counselors, women in this study had insurance coverage for in-person and telephonic counseling.
AHRQ-funded; HS024072.
Citation: Cham S, Landrum MB, Keating NL .
Use of germline BRCA testing in patients with ovarian cancer and commercial insurance.
JAMA Netw Open 2022 Jan 4;5(1):e2142703. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.42703..
Keywords: Cancer: Ovarian Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Genetics, Health Insurance, Women
Hassmiller Lich K, O'Leary MC, Nambiar S
Estimating the impact of insurance expansion on colorectal cancer and related costs in North Carolina: a population-level simulation analysis.
Researchers used microsimulation to estimate the health and financial effects of insurance expansion and reduction scenarios in North Carolina (NC) for colorectal cancer screening (CRC). The full lifetime of a simulated population of residents age-eligible for CRC screening (aged 50-75) during a 5-year period were simulated. Findings indicate that the estimated cost savings--balancing increased CRC screening/testing costs against decreased cancer treatment costs--were approximately $30 M and $970 M for Medicaid expansion and Medicare-for-all scenarios, respectively, compared to status quo. The researchers concluded that insurance expansion will likely improve CRC screening both overall and in underserved populations while saving money, with the largest savings realized by Medicare.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Hassmiller Lich K, O'Leary MC, Nambiar S .
Estimating the impact of insurance expansion on colorectal cancer and related costs in North Carolina: a population-level simulation analysis.
Prev Med 2019 Dec;129s:105847. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105847..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Healthcare Costs, Screening, Prevention, Medicaid, Medicare, Policy, Access to Care
Rivera-Hernandez M, Galarraga O
Type of insurance and use of preventive health services among older adults in Mexico.
The main purpose of this study was to assess the differences between Seguro Popular (SP) and employer-based health insurance in the use of preventive services,. It found that SP enrollees were more likely to use screening tests for diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension, and cervical cancer than the uninsured; however, those in employment-based and private insurances had higher odds of using preventive care for most services.
AHRQ-funded; HS0000011.
Citation: Rivera-Hernandez M, Galarraga O .
Type of insurance and use of preventive health services among older adults in Mexico.
J Aging Health 2015 Sep;27(6):962-82. doi: 10.1177/0898264315569457..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Health Insurance, Prevention, Screening