National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Access to Care (4)
- Children/Adolescents (2)
- Communication (1)
- Disparities (1)
- Emergency Department (3)
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (1)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (7)
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- (-) Health Insurance (15)
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- Policy (2)
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- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (2)
- Rural/Inner-City Residents (1)
- Rural Health (1)
- Sickle Cell Disease (1)
- Skin Conditions (1)
- Surgery (1)
- Women (1)
AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 15 of 15 Research Studies DisplayedHogg-Graham R, Gatton KR, Ingram R
Association between insurer connectivity in Appalachian population health networks and preventable hospitalizations: evidence from Kentucky.
Capacity in community health and social services networks may be limited in geographic regions like Appalachia because of the combined effects of rurality and consistently poor health and social outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine insurer connectivity in cross-sector networks across Kentucky’s geographic regions and the relationship between connectivity and the probability of preventable hospitalizations. The study found sizable geographic differences in the relationship between insurer connectivity in community networks and preventable hospitalization. Insurer connectivity in rural Appalachian communities was related with decreased likelihood that an individual was admitted for a preventable hospitalization.
AHRQ-funded; HS025494.
Citation: Hogg-Graham R, Gatton KR, Ingram R .
Association between insurer connectivity in Appalachian population health networks and preventable hospitalizations: evidence from Kentucky.
J Appalach Health 2023 Aug; 5(2)..
Keywords: Rural Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents, Prevention, Hospitalization, Health Insurance
Carlton EF, Becker NV, Moniz MH
Out-of-pocket spending for non-birth-related hospitalizations of privately insured US children, 2017 to 2019.
This study’s goal was to estimate out-of-pocket spending for non-birth pediatric hospitalizations of privately insured children from 2017 to 2019. This study used data from the IBM MarketScan Commercial Database. Among 183,780 hospitalizations, half were for female children, with a median age of 12 (4-16) years. Most (79.0%) hospitalizations were for children with a chronic condition and 24.1% were covered by a high-deductible health plan. Mean (SD) and median (IQR) out-of-pocket spending per hospitalization was $1313 and $656 respectively. Out-of-pocket spending exceeded $3000 for 14.0% of hospitalizations. Factors associated with higher out-of-pocket spending included hospitalization in quarter 1 compared with quarter 4 (average marginal effect [AME], $637) and lack of chronic conditions compared with having a complex chronic condition (AME, $732). Hospitalizations covered by the least generous plans (deductible of $3000 or more and coinsurance of 20% or more) found mean out-of-pocket spending was $1974, while the most generous plans (deductible less than $1000 and coinsurance of 1-19%), mean out-of-pocket spending was found to be $826.
AHRQ-funded; HS025465; HS028817.
Citation: Carlton EF, Becker NV, Moniz MH .
Out-of-pocket spending for non-birth-related hospitalizations of privately insured US children, 2017 to 2019.
JAMA Pediatr 2023 May; 177(5):516-25. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.0130..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Healthcare Costs, Hospitalization, Health Insurance
Steenland MW, Wherry LR
Medicaid expansion led to reductions in postpartum hospitalizations.
The purpose of this study was to assess whether the Medicaid expansions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affected rates of postpartum hospitalization. The researchers compared states that did and did not expand Medicaid under the ACA as they related to changes in hospitalizations among birthing people with a Medicaid-financed delivery. The study found a 17% reduction in hospitalizations during the first 60 days postpartum associated with the Medicaid expansions, and evidence of a lesser decrease in hospitalizations between 61 days and 6 months postpartum. The researchers concluded that Medicaid coverage expansion under the ACA resulted in improved postpartum health for low-income birthing people.
AHRQ-funded; HS027464.
Citation: Steenland MW, Wherry LR .
Medicaid expansion led to reductions in postpartum hospitalizations.
Health Aff 2023 Jan; 42(1):18-25. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.00819..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Medicaid, Hospitalization, Maternal Care, Women, Health Insurance, Access to Care
Moriya AS, Chakravarty S
AHRQ Author: Moriya AS
Racial and ethnic disparities in preventable hospitalizations and ED visits five years after ACA Medicaid expansions,.
This AHRQ-authored paper examined whether the 2014 Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansions mitigated existing racial or ethnic disparities in preventable hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits. The authors used inpatient data from twenty-nine states and ED data from twenty-six states for the period 2011 to 2018. They found that Medicaid expansions decreased disparities in preventable hospitalizations and ED visits between non-Hispanic Black and White nonelderly adults by 10 percent or more. There were no significant effects on disparities between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White nonelderly adults. Their findings highlight sustained improvements in community-level care for non-Hispanic Black populations, but also suggest access barriers experienced by Hispanic adults that need to be addressed beyond Medicaid eligibility expansion.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Moriya AS, Chakravarty S .
Racial and ethnic disparities in preventable hospitalizations and ED visits five years after ACA Medicaid expansions,.
Health Aff 2023 Jan; 42(1):26-34. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.00460..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Emergency Department, Hospitalization, Disparities, Medicaid, Health Insurance, Access to Care
Chow JY, Nijhawan AE, Mathews WC
Hospitalization rates among persons with HIV who gained Medicaid or private insurance after the Affordable Care Act in 2014.
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether gaining inpatient healthcare coverage had an effect on hospitalization rates among persons with HIV following implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2014. Hospitalization data from 2015 were obtained on adults receiving longitudinal care at HIV clinics; all patients were previously uninsured and supported by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) in 2013. Findings showed that acquiring inpatient coverage was not associated with a change in hospitalization rates.
AHRQ-funded; 290201100007C.
Citation: Chow JY, Nijhawan AE, Mathews WC .
Hospitalization rates among persons with HIV who gained Medicaid or private insurance after the Affordable Care Act in 2014.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021 Jun 1;87(2):776-80. doi: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002645..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hospitalization, Medicaid, Health Insurance, Access to Care, Policy
Kayle M, Valle J, Paulukonis S
Impact of Medicaid expansion on access and healthcare among individuals with sickle cell disease.
The purpose of this study was to examine whether Medicaid expansion in California, increased Medicaid enrollment, increased hydroxyurea prescriptions filled, and decreased acute healthcare utilization in sickle cell disease (SCD). Findings showed that Medicaid expansion did not appear to have improved enrollment or acute healthcare utilization among individuals with SCD in California. Recommendations included future studies exploring whether individuals with SCD transitioned to other insurance plans or became uninsured post-expansion, the underlying reasons for low hydroxyurea utilization, and the lack of effect on hospital admissions despite a modest effect on emergency department visits.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011; HS025297.
Citation: Kayle M, Valle J, Paulukonis S .
Impact of Medicaid expansion on access and healthcare among individuals with sickle cell disease.
Pediatr Blood Cancer 2020 May;67(5):e28152. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28152..
Keywords: Sickle Cell Disease, Medicaid, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Medication, Hospitalization, Health Insurance
Regenbogen SE, Cain-Nielsen AH, Syrjamaki JD
Spending on postacute care after hospitalization in commercial insurance and Medicare around age sixty-five.
Postacute care costs are the primary determinant of episode spending around hospitalization. Yet there is little evidence that greater spending on postacute care improves readmission rates or functional recovery. In a population-based, statewide collaborative of Michigan hospitals, the investigators used regression discontinuity design among propensity-weighted, age-adjusted cohorts to compare postacute care spending between patients with commercial insurance and those with Medicare around age sixty-five. This paper describes the study.
AHRQ-funded; HS024698.
Citation: Regenbogen SE, Cain-Nielsen AH, Syrjamaki JD .
Spending on postacute care after hospitalization in commercial insurance and Medicare around age sixty-five.
Health Aff 2019 Sep;38(9):1505-13. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05445..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance, Medicare, Hospitalization
Nuckols TK, Fingar KR, Barrett ML
AHRQ Author: Steiner CA, Stocks C, Owens PL
Returns to emergency department, observation, or inpatient care within 30 days after hospitalization in 4 states, 2009 and 2010 versus 2013 and 2014.
This study described trends in rates of 30-day, all-cause, unplanned returns to the hospital, including returns for observation stays and ED visits. Increases in observation and ED visits coincided with declines in readmissions for private insurance and Medicare. Return rates rose among patients with Medicaid and the uninsured.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Nuckols TK, Fingar KR, Barrett ML .
Returns to emergency department, observation, or inpatient care within 30 days after hospitalization in 4 states, 2009 and 2010 versus 2013 and 2014.
J Hosp Med 2018 May;13(5):296-303. doi: 10.12788/jhm.2883.
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Keywords: Emergency Department, Health Insurance, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospitalization, Hospital Readmissions
Adrion ER, Kocher KE, Nallamothu BK
Rising use of observation care among the commercially insured may lead to total and out-of-pocket cost savings.
Using multipayer commercial claims for the period 2009-13, the investigators evaluated utilization and spending among patients admitted for six conditions that are commonly managed with either observation care or short-stay hospitalizations. In their study period, the use of observation care increased relative to that of short-stay hospitalizations. In addition, total and out-of-pocket spending were substantially lower for observation care, though both grew rapidly--and at rates much higher than spending in the inpatient setting--over the study period.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053.
Citation: Adrion ER, Kocher KE, Nallamothu BK .
Rising use of observation care among the commercially insured may lead to total and out-of-pocket cost savings.
Health Aff 2017 Dec;36(12):2102-09. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2017.0774..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Delivery, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitalization, Hospitals, Medicare
Kwa MC, Ardalan K, Laumann AE
Predictors of hospitalization, length of stay and costs of care among adults with dermatomyositis in the United States.
The researchers sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors for hospitalization with dermatomyositis and to assess inpatient burden of dermatomyositis. They concluded that there is a significant and increasing inpatient burden for dermatomyositis in the US. Also, there appear to be racial differences as non-whites have higher prevalence of admission, increased length of stay and cost of care.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Kwa MC, Ardalan K, Laumann AE .
Predictors of hospitalization, length of stay and costs of care among adults with dermatomyositis in the United States.
Arthritis Care Res 2017 Sep;69(9):1391-99. doi: 10.1002/acr.23190.
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Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospitalization, Health Insurance, Skin Conditions
Hines AL, Raetzman SO, Barrett ML
AHRQ Author: Moy E, Andrews RM
Managed care and inpatient mortality in adults: effect of primary payer.
This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the association between managed care and inpatient mortality for Medicare and privately insured patients. Privately insured patients in managed care plans, especially older adults, had better outcomes than those in fee-for-service (FFS) plans. Patients in Medicare managed care had outcomes similar to those in Medicare FFS.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Hines AL, Raetzman SO, Barrett ML .
Managed care and inpatient mortality in adults: effect of primary payer.
BMC Health Serv Res 2017 Feb 8;17(1):121. doi: 10.1186/s12913-017-2062-1.
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Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Health Insurance, Inpatient Care, Mortality, Outcomes, Hospitalization, Medicare
Lion KC, Wright DR, Desai AD
Costs of care for hospitalized children associated with preferred language and insurance type.
The study sought to determine whether preferred language for care and insurance type are associated with cost among hospitalized children. It concluded that hospital costs varied significantly according to preferred language and insurance type, even adjusting for length of stay and medical complexity. These differences in the amount of billable care provided to medically similar patients may represent either underprovision or overprovision of care.
AHRQ-funded; HS024299.
Citation: Lion KC, Wright DR, Desai AD .
Costs of care for hospitalized children associated with preferred language and insurance type.
Hosp Pediatr 2017 Feb;7(2):70-78. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2016-0051.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Communication, Health Insurance, Hospitalization, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Adrion ER, Ryan AM, Seltzer AC
Out-of-pocket spending for hospitalizations among nonelderly adults.
The researchers evaluated out-of-pocket spending associated with hospitalizations in order to assess how this spending varied over time and by patient characteristics, region, and type of insurance. They found that from 2009 to 2013, total cost sharing per inpatient hospitalization increased by 37 percent, from $738 in 2009 to $1013 in 2013 after adjusting for inflation and case-mix differences.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053.
Citation: Adrion ER, Ryan AM, Seltzer AC .
Out-of-pocket spending for hospitalizations among nonelderly adults.
JAMA Intern Med 2016 Sep;176(9):1325-32. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.3663.
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Keywords: Hospitalization, Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance
Ellimoottil C, Miller S, Davis M
Insurance expansion and the utilization of inpatient surgery: evidence for a "Woodwork" effect?
The researchers examined rates of elective surgery in previously insured individuals before and after Massachusetts health care reform. They observed no increase in the overall rate of selected discretionary inpatient surgeries in Massachusetts versus control states for the entire population , as well as among the white and low-income subgroups.
AHRQ-funded; HS018346.
Citation: Ellimoottil C, Miller S, Davis M .
Insurance expansion and the utilization of inpatient surgery: evidence for a "Woodwork" effect?
Surg Innov 2015 Dec;22(6):588-92. doi: 10.1177/1553350615573579.
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Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Surgery, Health Insurance, Policy, Hospitalization
Pines JM, Mutter RL, Zocchi MS
AHRQ Author: Mutter RL
Variation in emergency department admission rates across the United States.
The authors investigated factors related to variation in hospital-level emergency department (ED) admission rates. Using HCUP data, they found that higher proportions of Medicare and uninsured patients, more inpatient beds, lower ED volumes, for-profit ownership, trauma center status, and higher hospital occupancy rates were associated with higher ED admission rates.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Pines JM, Mutter RL, Zocchi MS .
Variation in emergency department admission rates across the United States.
Med Care Res Rev 2013 Apr;70(2):218-31. doi: 10.1177/1077558712470565.
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Keywords: Emergency Department, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Health Insurance, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospitalization