National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Access to Care (2)
- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (1)
- Blood Thinners (1)
- Cancer (3)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (2)
- Chronic Conditions (1)
- Diabetes (1)
- Elderly (4)
- Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) (1)
- Guidelines (1)
- Healthcare Costs (5)
- Heart Disease and Health (2)
- Hospitalization (1)
- (-) Medicare (10)
- (-) Medication (10)
- Nursing (1)
- Policy (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (2)
- Skin Conditions (1)
- Social Determinants of Health (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 10 of 10 Research Studies DisplayedNiznik J, Zhao X, Jiang T
Anticholinergic prescribing in Medicare Part D beneficiaries residing in nursing homes: results from a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of Medicare data.
The primary objective of this study was to identify factors associated with low- and high-level anticholinergic burden in nursing home residents. Overall, 29.6 percent of subjects had a high anticholinergic burden and 35.2 percent had a low burden. High burden was most often (72 percent) due to one highly anticholinergic medication rather than a cumulative effect.
AHRQ-funded; HS023779.
Citation: Niznik J, Zhao X, Jiang T .
Anticholinergic prescribing in Medicare Part D beneficiaries residing in nursing homes: results from a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of Medicare data.
Drugs Aging 2017 Dec;34(12):925-39. doi: 10.1007/s40266-017-0502-6.
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Keywords: Elderly, Medicare, Medication, Nursing
Adams AS, Madden JM, Zhang F
Effects of transitioning to Medicare Part D on access to drugs for medical conditions among dual enrollees with cancer.
This study evaluated the impact of transitioning from Medicaid to Medicare Part D drug coverage on the use of noncancer treatments among dual enrollees with cancer. Its findings suggest that the removal of drug caps under Part D had a modest impact on the treatment of hypercholesterolemia overall and may have reduced white-black gaps in the use of lipid-lowering and antidepressant therapies.
AHRQ-funded; HS018577.
Citation: Adams AS, Madden JM, Zhang F .
Effects of transitioning to Medicare Part D on access to drugs for medical conditions among dual enrollees with cancer.
Value Health 2017 Dec;20(10):1345-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2017.05.023.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Cancer, Medicare, Medication, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Taira DA, Shen C, King M
Access to medications for Medicare enrollees related to race/ethnicity: results from the 2013 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.
Prescription medications are taken by millions of Americans to manage chronic conditions and treat acute conditions. These medications, however, are not equally accessible to all. The purpose of this study was to examine medication access by race/ethnicity among Medicare beneficiaries. The authors found that possible interventions for non-Hispanic blacks might include assisting them in finding the best drug plan to meeting their needs, connecting them to medication assistance programs, and discussing convenience of pharmacy with patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS023185.
Citation: Taira DA, Shen C, King M .
Access to medications for Medicare enrollees related to race/ethnicity: results from the 2013 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.
Res Social Adm Pharm 2017 Nov;13(6):1208-13. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.10.021..
Keywords: Access to Care, Medicare, Medication, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health
Kazi DS, Lu CY, Lin GA
Nationwide coverage and cost-sharing for PCSK9 inhibitors among Medicare Part D plans.
In this research letter the investigators analyzed the June 2016 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Prescription Drug Plan Formulary, Pharmacy Network, and Pricing Information Files for all Part D plans (except special-needs plans that may have had specialized formularies) and out-of-pocket cost requirements for PCSK9is (alirocumab and evolocumab) averaged across all plans by counties and states. The authors asserted that their findings suggest a need to lower out-of pocket costs to ensure affordability of PCSK9is for Medicare beneficiaries covered by Part D.
AHRQ-funded; HS016772.
Citation: Kazi DS, Lu CY, Lin GA .
Nationwide coverage and cost-sharing for PCSK9 inhibitors among Medicare Part D plans.
JAMA Cardiol 2017 Oct;2(10):1164-66. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2017.3051..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Medicare, Medication, Policy
Zhang M, Silverberg JI, Kaffenberger BH
Prescription patterns and costs of acne/rosacea medications in Medicare patients vary by prescriber specialty.
The researchers described the medications used for treating acne/rosacea in the Medicare population and evaluated differences in costs between specialties. They concluded that costs of prescriptions for acne/rosacea from specialists are higher than those from primary care physicians and could be reduced by choosing generic and less expensive options.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Zhang M, Silverberg JI, Kaffenberger BH .
Prescription patterns and costs of acne/rosacea medications in Medicare patients vary by prescriber specialty.
J Am Acad Dermatol 2017 Sep;77(3):448-55.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.04.1127.
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Keywords: Medication, Skin Conditions, Healthcare Costs, Medicare, Elderly
Shih YT, Xu Y, Liu L
Rising prices of targeted oral anticancer medications and associated financial burden on Medicare beneficiaries.
This study examined trends in targeted oral anticancer medication (TOAM) prices and patient out-of-pocket (OOP) payments in Medicare Part D and estimated the actual effects on patient OOP payments of partial filling of the coverage gap by 2012. It concluded that rising TOAM prices threaten the financial relief patients have begun to experience under closure of the coverage gap in Medicare Part D.
AHRQ-funded; HS020263.
Citation: Shih YT, Xu Y, Liu L .
Rising prices of targeted oral anticancer medications and associated financial burden on Medicare beneficiaries.
J Clin Oncol 2017 Aug 1;35(22):2482-89. doi: 10.1200/jco.2017.72.3742.
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Keywords: Cancer, Medication, Healthcare Costs, Medicare, Elderly
Gabriel MH, Powers C, Encinosa W
AHRQ Author: Encinosa W
E-prescribing and adverse drug events: an observational study of the Medicare part D population with diabetes.
The researchers examined the impact of e-prescribing on emergency visits or hospitalizations for diabetes-related adverse drug events (ADEs) including hypoglycemia. They concluded that at the e-prescribing threshold of 75 percent and above, there were significant reductions in ADE risk.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Gabriel MH, Powers C, Encinosa W .
E-prescribing and adverse drug events: an observational study of the Medicare part D population with diabetes.
Med Care 2017 May;55(5):456-62. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000684.
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Keywords: Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing), Diabetes, Medicare, Medication
Shen C, Zhao B, Liu L
Financial burden for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia enrolled in Medicare Part D taking targeted oral anticancer medications.
In this study, the investigators examined financial burden for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia enrolled in Medicare Part D taking targeted oral anticancer medications. The authors concluded that patients experience quick entry and exit from the coverage gap (also called the donut hole) as a result of the high price of targeted oral anticancer medications. They suggested that closing the donut hole would provide financial relief during the initial month(s) of treatment but will not completely eliminate the financial burden.
AHRQ-funded; HS020263.
Citation: Shen C, Zhao B, Liu L .
Financial burden for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia enrolled in Medicare Part D taking targeted oral anticancer medications.
J Oncol Pract 2017 Feb;13(2):e152-e62. doi: 10.1200/JOP.2016.014639..
Keywords: Cancer, Chronic Conditions, Elderly, Healthcare Costs, Medicare, Medication
Vaughan Sarrazin MS, Jones M, Mazur A
Cost of hospital admissions in Medicare patients with atrial fibrillation taking warfarin, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban.
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of anticoagulant choice on inpatient costs in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Analysis used 3-way propensity matching to create groups from AF patients taking dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or warfarin, and were plausible candidates for all 3 anticoagulants. Predicted values from two models were multiplied together to estimate expected costs per patient-year. The study concludes from its data that patients with newly diagnosed AF taking 150 mg dabigatran or 20 mg rivaroxaban experience lower annual inpatient costs than patients taking warfarin, due to fewer hospital admissions for stroke, non-gastrointestinal-related hemorrhages, and heart failure events.
AHRQ-funded; HS023104.
Citation: Vaughan Sarrazin MS, Jones M, Mazur A .
Cost of hospital admissions in Medicare patients with atrial fibrillation taking warfarin, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2017 Jan 24;69(3):360-62. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.11.023..
Keywords: Blood Thinners, Heart Disease and Health, Medication, Healthcare Costs, Medicare, Hospitalization, Cardiovascular Conditions
Dhruva SS, Desai NR, Karaca-Mandic P
Medicare formulary changes after the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Cholesterol Guideline.
This letter describes a study which examined the use of statins and non-statin medications at Medicare formularies before and after the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) cholesterol guideline was released. The study found that while many formularies did restrict nonstatin medications as per the new guidelines, many others did not.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Dhruva SS, Desai NR, Karaca-Mandic P .
Medicare formulary changes after the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Cholesterol Guideline.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2017 Jan 17;69(2):244-46. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.10.053..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Guidelines, Medicare, Medication