National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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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 6 of 6 Research Studies DisplayedSmith JM, Lin H, Thomas-Hawkins C
Timing of home health care initiation and 30-day rehospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes by race and ethnicity.
Older adults with diabetes are at elevated risk of complications following hospitalization. Home health care services mitigate the risk of adverse events and facilitate a safe transition home. In the United States, when home health care services are prescribed, federal guidelines require they begin within two days of hospital discharge. This study examined the association between timing of home health care initiation and 30-day rehospitalization outcomes in a cohort of 786,734 Medicare beneficiaries following a diabetes-related index hospitalization admission during 2015.
AHRQ-funded; HS022406.
Citation: Smith JM, Lin H, Thomas-Hawkins C .
Timing of home health care initiation and 30-day rehospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes by race and ethnicity.
Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 May 25;18(11). doi: 10.3390/ijerph18115623..
Keywords: Elderly, Home Healthcare, Hospital Readmissions, Medicare, Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
McCoy RG, Van Houten HK, Deng Y
Comparison of diabetes medications used by adults with commercial insurance vs Medicare Advantage, 2016 to 2019.
Investigators sought to compare trends in initiation of treatment with GLP-1RA, SGLT2i, and DPP-4i by older adults with type 2 diabetes insured by Medicare Advantage vs commercial health plans. They found that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries may be less likely than commercially insured beneficiaries to be treated with newer medications to lower glucose levels, with greater disparities among lower-income patients. They recommended further investigation of nonclinical factors contributing to treatment decisions and efforts to promote greater equity in diabetes management.
AHRQ-funded; HS025164.
Citation: McCoy RG, Van Houten HK, Deng Y .
Comparison of diabetes medications used by adults with commercial insurance vs Medicare Advantage, 2016 to 2019.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Feb;4(2):e2035792. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.35792..
Keywords: Elderly, Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Medication, Medicare, Health Insurance, Disparities, Low-Income
Stuart BC, Davidoff AJ, Erten MZ
AHRQ Author: Davidoff AJ
Changes in medication management after a diagnosis of cancer among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes.
The researchers sought to determine whether a new cancer diagnosis is associated with changes in medication adherence among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes. They concluded that cancer diagnosis among patients with diabetes reduced adherence with evidence-based medications, particularly if patients’ life expectancy was short.
Citation: Stuart BC, Davidoff AJ, Erten MZ .
Changes in medication management after a diagnosis of cancer among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes.
J Oncol Pract 2015 Nov;11(6):429-34. doi: 10.1200/jop.2014.003046..
Keywords: Medication, Medicare, Cancer, Diabetes, Patient Adherence/Compliance
Schmittdiel JA, Nichols GA, Dyer W
Health care system-level factors associated with performance on Medicare STAR adherence metrics in a large, integrated delivery system.
The researchers examined the association of Medicare STAR adherence metrics with system-wide factors for patients with diabetes. They found that the strongest predictor of achieving STAR-defined medication adherence for patients with diabetes was a greater days’ supply of medications. Other important factors were use of a mail order pharmacy, lower copayments and lower annual individual out-of-pocket maximums.
AHRQ-funded; HS019859
Citation: Schmittdiel JA, Nichols GA, Dyer W .
Health care system-level factors associated with performance on Medicare STAR adherence metrics in a large, integrated delivery system.
Med Care. 2015 Apr;53(4):332-7. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000328..
Keywords: Medicare, Diabetes, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Quality Measures
Marcum ZA, Driessen J, Thorpe CT
Regional variation in use of a new class of antidiabetic medication among Medicare beneficiaries: the case of incretin mimetics.
After incretin mimetic medications (IMs), a new class of diabetes drugs, were introduced in 2005, researchers examining their use as well as their cost implications for Medicare Part D between 2005 and 2010 found substantial geographic variation existing in their use that was not accounted for by sociodemographic and health status factors. Also, IM use was associated with substantially greater costs for Part D plans and beneficiaries.
AHRQ-funded; HS018721.
Citation: Marcum ZA, Driessen J, Thorpe CT .
Regional variation in use of a new class of antidiabetic medication among Medicare beneficiaries: the case of incretin mimetics.
Ann Pharmacother 2015 Mar;49(3):285-92. doi: 10.1177/1060028014563951..
Keywords: Medication, Diabetes, Medicare
Schmittdiel J, Raebel M, Dyer W
Medicare Star excludes diabetes patients with poor CVD risk factor control.
This study is designed to improve understanding of novel CMS quality measures (adherence to antihypertensives, antihyperlipidemics, and oral antihyperglycemics) by assessing the proportion of Medicare patients with diabetes who are excluded from the Medicare Star medication adherence metrics due to early nonadherence and insulin use. Medicare’s STAR measures are used to evaluate the performance of Medicare Advantage plans.
AHRQ-funded; HS019859
Citation: Schmittdiel J, Raebel M, Dyer W .
Medicare Star excludes diabetes patients with poor CVD risk factor control.
Am J Manag Care. 2014 Dec; 20(12):e573-81..
Keywords: Medicare, Diabetes, Quality Measures, Patient Adherence/Compliance