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- Access to Care (3)
- Back Health and Pain (1)
- Behavioral Health (2)
- Children/Adolescents (1)
- Chronic Conditions (5)
- Colonoscopy (1)
- Community-Based Practice (1)
- COVID-19 (1)
- Dental and Oral Health (1)
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- Outcomes (1)
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- Payment (1)
- Pneumonia (1)
- Policy (4)
- Pregnancy (1)
- Prevention (1)
- Primary Care (1)
- Respiratory Conditions (3)
- Screening (1)
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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.
Results
1 to 25 of 26 Research Studies DisplayedMellor JM, McInerney M, Garrow RC
The impact of Medicaid expansion on spending and utilization by older low-income Medicare beneficiaries.
This study examined indirect spillover effects of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansions to working-age adults on health care coverage, spending, and utilization by older low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The authors used data from the 2010-2018 Health and Retirement Study survey linked to annual Medicare beneficiary summary files. They estimated individual-level difference-in-differences models of total spending for inpatient, institutional outpatient, physician/professional provider services; inpatient stays, outpatient visits, physician visits; and Medicaid and Part A and B Medicare coverage. They also compared changes in outcomes before and after Medicaid expansion in expansion versus nonexpansion states. The sample included low-income respondents aged 69 and older with linked Medicare data, enrolled in full-year traditional Medicare, and living in the community. ACA Medicaid expansion was associated with a 9.8 percentage point increase in Medicaid coverage, a 4.4 percentage point increase in having any institutional outpatient spending, and a positive but statistically insignificant 2.4 percentage point change in Part B enrollment.
AHRQ-funded; HS025422.
Citation: Mellor JM, McInerney M, Garrow RC .
The impact of Medicaid expansion on spending and utilization by older low-income Medicare beneficiaries.
Health Serv Res 2023 Oct; 58(5):1024-34. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.14155..
Keywords: Medicaid, Medicare, Low-Income, Healthcare Utilization, Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance
Kalata S, Howard R, Diaz A
Association of skilled nursing facility ownership by health care networks with utilization and spending.
The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the association of vertical integration of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) within hospital networks with SNF utilization, readmissions, and spending. Claims data from Medicare beneficiaries aged 66 to 99 who had undergone elective hip replacement in nonfederal acute care hospitals during the study period was analyzed. Results showed that vertical SNF integration was associated with a higher rate of SNF utilization and a lower 30-day readmission rate; in spite of higher utilization, 30-day episode payments were slightly lower. Adjusted readmission rates were especially low for patients who were not sent to an SNF but were significantly higher for patients with a length of stay of less than 5 days. The authors concluded these findings support the value of integrating SNFs into hospital networks, but there is room for improvement in postoperative care early in the SNF patients’ stay.
AHRQ-funded; HS028606.
Citation: Kalata S, Howard R, Diaz A .
Association of skilled nursing facility ownership by health care networks with utilization and spending.
JAMA Netw Open 2023 Feb; 6(2):e230140. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.0140..
Keywords: Nursing Homes, Healthcare Utilization, Healthcare Costs, Medicare
Chang E, Ali R, Seibert J
Interventions to improve outcomes for high-need, high-cost patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The authors of this article reviewed evidence on the effectiveness of complex interventions designed to change the healthcare of high-need, high-cost patients. They found limited evidence of intervention effectiveness in relation to cost and use, but note that additional evidence is needed to strengthen their confidence in these findings. Few studies reported clinical/functional or social risk factor outcomes or sufficient details for determining why individual interventions work. They conclude that future evaluations could provide additional insights in assessing the impact of complex interventions.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500011I.
Citation: Chang E, Ali R, Seibert J .
Interventions to improve outcomes for high-need, high-cost patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
J Gen Intern Med 2023 Jan; 38(1):185-94. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07809-6..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Delivery, Chronic Conditions, Healthcare Utilization
Myong C, Hull P, Price M
The impact of funding for federally qualified health centers on utilization and emergency department visits in Massachusetts.
This retrospective study examined the impact of funding for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) on utilization and emergency department (ED) visits in Massachusetts. The authors theorized that greater funding for FQHCs could increase the local availability of clinic-based care and reduce more costly resource use, such as ED visits. Data from the Massachusetts All Payer Claims Database (APCD) 2010-2013 was used that included enrollees in 559 Massachusetts ZIP codes (2010 numbers 6,173,563). They calculated shift-share predictions of changes in FQHC funding at the ZIP code-level for FQHCs that received Community Health Center funds in any year. They found that a standard deviation increase in prior year FQHC funding (31%) was associated with a 2.3% increase in enrollees with FQHC visits and a 1.3% decrease in enrollees at EDs. However, there were no significant changes in emergent ED visit rates.
AHRQ-funded; HS025378.
Citation: Myong C, Hull P, Price M .
The impact of funding for federally qualified health centers on utilization and emergency department visits in Massachusetts.
PLoS One 2020 Dec 3;15(12):e0243279. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243279..
Keywords: Community-Based Practice, Healthcare Utilization, Emergency Department, Healthcare Costs, Access to Care, Vulnerable Populations, Policy
Fung V, Price M, Nierenberg AA
Assessment of behavioral health services use among low-income Medicare beneficiaries after reductions in coinsurance fees.
This study looked at outcomes from reducing behavioral health care Medicare coinsurance from 50% to 20% from 2009 to 2013. The sample of patients looked at included some diagnosed with SMI (serious mental illness) including schizophrenia, bipolar, or major depressive disorder). Data analysis was performed on 793,275 beneficiaries with SMI in 2008 and compared them with costs in 2013. The mean adjusted out-of-pocket costs for outpatient behavioral care decreased from $132 annually to $64, but the number of visits only increased slightly. No association was found between cost-sharing reductions and changes in behavioral health care visits.
AHRQ-funded; HS024725.
Citation: Fung V, Price M, Nierenberg AA .
Assessment of behavioral health services use among low-income Medicare beneficiaries after reductions in coinsurance fees.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Oct;3(10):e2019854. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.19854..
Keywords: Medicare, Health Insurance, Depression, Behavioral Health, Low-Income, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization
Iyer AS, Goodrich CA, Dransfield MT
End-of-life spending and healthcare utilization among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
This study examined end-of-life spending and healthcare utilization among Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who died during the period 2013-2014. Data on 146,240 decedents with COPD was investigated from 306 hospital referral regions (HRRs). The overall spending during the last 2 years of life varied significantly nationwide. Inpatient care accounted for 40.2% of spending, with 82% of decedents admitted to the hospital for 13.7±3.1 days and 55%±11% admitted to an intensive care unit for 3-7 days. Skilled nursing facilities accounted for 11.6% of spending and were utilized by 31-45% of decedents for 14-23 days. Hospitals were utilized by 39-56% of decedents and accounted for 10.3% of spending.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Iyer AS, Goodrich CA, Dransfield MT .
End-of-life spending and healthcare utilization among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Am J Med 2020 Jul;133(7):817-24.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.11.024..
Keywords: Elderly, Healthcare Utilization, Respiratory Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Healthcare Costs, Palliative Care
Rosenbloom J, Lewkowitz A, Sondgeroth K
Antenatal corticosteroid administration in late-preterm gestations: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether administration of antenatal late-preterm betamethasone was cost-effective in the immediate neonatal period. Cost-effectiveness analysis of late-preterm betamethasone administration with a time horizon of 7.5 days was conducted using a health-system perspective The investigators concluded that administration of betamethasone in the late-preterm period was likely not cost-effective in the short-term.
AHRQ-funded; HS022330.
Citation: Rosenbloom J, Lewkowitz A, Sondgeroth K .
Antenatal corticosteroid administration in late-preterm gestations: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020 Jun;33(12):2109-15. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1540582..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Newborns/Infants, Pregnancy, Respiratory Conditions, Medication, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization
Bartsch SM, Ferguson MC, McKinnell JA
The potential health care costs and resource use associated with COVID-19 in the United States.
The authors developed a Monte Carlo simulation model representing the U.S. Population and what can happen to every person who gets infected with COVID-19. The goal was to estimate resource use and direct medical costs per infection at the national level at different infection rates. They found that a single symptomatic COVID-19 infection would cost a median of $3,045 in direct medical costs. If 80% of the population got infected it would cost $654.0 billion in direct costs during the course of the pandemic. If 20% were to become infected, direct costs are estimated at $163.4 billion.
AHRQ-funded; HS023317.
Citation: Bartsch SM, Ferguson MC, McKinnell JA .
The potential health care costs and resource use associated with COVID-19 in the United States.
Health Aff 2020 Jun;39(6):927-35. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00426..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Healthcare Costs, COVID-19, Healthcare Utilization
Cook BL, Flores M, Zuvekas SH
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas SH
The impact Of Medicare's mental health cost-sharing parity on use of mental health care services.
This study examined the impact of Medicare’s mental health cost-sharing parity on use of mental health care services, which was phased in from 2010 to 2014. The authors assessed whether the reduction in mental health cost sharing was associated with changes in specialty and primary care outpatient mental health visits and psychotropic medication fills. They compared people with Medicare and private insurance before and after implementation. Medicare beneficiaries’ use of psychotropic medication increased after implementation but there was not a detectable change in visits.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Cook BL, Flores M, Zuvekas SH .
The impact Of Medicare's mental health cost-sharing parity on use of mental health care services.
Health Aff 2020 May;39(5):819-27. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2019.01008..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Medicare, Behavioral Health, Healthcare Costs, Policy, Health Insurance, Healthcare Utilization, Access to Care
Subramanian MP, Liu J, Chapman WC
Utilization trends, outcomes, and cost in minimally invasive lobectomy.
The objective of this study was to compare outcomes and hospitalization costs among patients undergoing open, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and RATS lobectomy. The investigators concluded that minimally invasive approaches were associated to improved clinical outcomes compared with open lobectomy. However, only robotic-assisted lobectomy has had rapid growth in utilization. Despite additional cost, RATS lobectomy appeared to provide a viable minimally invasive alternative for general thoracic procedures.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Subramanian MP, Liu J, Chapman WC .
Utilization trends, outcomes, and cost in minimally invasive lobectomy.
Ann Thorac Surg 2019 Dec;108(6):1648-55. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.06.049..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Surgery, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Outcomes
Ganguli I, Lupo C, Mainor AJ
Prevalence and cost of care cascades after low-value preoperative electrocardiogram for cataract surgery in fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries.
This study examined the use and outcomes of preoperative electrocardiogram (EKG) for cataract surgery recipients on Medicare. The outcomes measured were cascade events if the EKG results were problematic. The study compared 110,183 cataract surgery recipients with 97,775 non-surgery participants (63.1% female). For the recipient group, 12,408 (11.3%) received a preoperative EKG (65.6% of them were female). Of those, 1978 (15.9%) had at least 1 potential cascade event. Additional tests, treatments, and cardiology visits added an additional estimated $35 million in addition to the $3.2 million spent on preoperative EKGs. Preoperative EKG recipients who were older, had more chronic conditions, lived in more cardiologist-dense areas, or had their EKG performed by a cardiac specialist rather than a primary care physician were more likely to experience a cascade event.
AHRQ-funded; HS023812.
Citation: Ganguli I, Lupo C, Mainor AJ .
Prevalence and cost of care cascades after low-value preoperative electrocardiogram for cataract surgery in fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries.
JAMA Intern Med 2019 Sep;179(9):1157-308. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.1739..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Medicare, Healthcare Utilization, Surgery, Elderly
Pickens G, Karaca Z, Gibson TB
AHRQ Author: Karaca Z, Wong HS
Changes in hospital service demand, cost, and patient illness severity following health reform.
This study examined the effects of expanded Medicaid coverage and the health insurance exchange on the number of hospital inpatient and emergency department (ED) utilization rates, cost, and patient illness severity. There was a significant drop in uninsured inpatient discharges and ED visits in states where Medicaid was expanded. For all by young females, uninsured inpatient discharge rates fell by 39% or greater. In nonexpansion states, the rates remained unchanged or increased slightly. Changes in all-payer and private insurance rates were not as dramatic, as was inpatient costs per discharge and all-payer inpatient costs.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290201300002C.
Citation: Pickens G, Karaca Z, Gibson TB .
Changes in hospital service demand, cost, and patient illness severity following health reform.
Health Serv Res 2019 Aug;54(4):739-51. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13165..
Keywords: Access to Care, Health Insurance, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitals, Medicaid, Policy, Uninsured
Song LD, Newhouse JP, Garcia-De-Albeniz X
Changes in screening colonoscopy following Medicare reimbursement and cost-sharing changes.
This study examined changes in screening colonoscopy rates after Medicare reimbursement and cost-sharing changed when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was implemented. A 20% random sample of fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare claims from 2002-2012 was used in this study. Screening colonoscopy rates did increase after 2001 when cost-sharing was eliminated but the amount varied depending on the algorithm used to classify the indication.
AHRQ-funded; HS023128.
Citation: Song LD, Newhouse JP, Garcia-De-Albeniz X .
Changes in screening colonoscopy following Medicare reimbursement and cost-sharing changes.
Health Serv Res 2019 Aug;54(4):839-50. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13150..
Keywords: Colonoscopy, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Medicare, Payment, Prevention, Screening
Selden TM, Abdus S, Miller GE
AHRQ Author: Selden TM, Abdus S, Miller GE
Decomposing changes in the growth of U.S. prescription drug use and expenditures, 1999-2016.
Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) was examined to analyze factors associated with changes in prescription drug use and expenditures in the US from 1999 to 2016. There were large increases in prescription drug use during that period, with per capita utilization increasing by nearly half and per capita expenditures more than doubled. Treatment of long-term conditions was a large driver in the increases in medication use.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Selden TM, Abdus S, Miller GE .
Decomposing changes in the growth of U.S. prescription drug use and expenditures, 1999-2016.
Health Serv Res 2019 Aug;54(4):752-63. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13164..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Medication
Colla CH, Lewis VA, Stachowski C
Changes in use of postacute care associated with accountable care organizations in hip fracture, stroke, and pneumonia hospitalized cohorts.
In this study, researchers examined changes in more and less discretionary condition-specific postacute care use associated with Medicare accountable care organization (ACO) implementation. They found that ACOs decreased spending on postacute care by decreasing use of discretionary services. In addition, ACO implementation was associated with reduced length of stay in skilled nursing facilities, while hip fracture patients used institutional postacute settings at higher rates. The authors also observed decreases in spending, readmission days, and mortality among pneumonia patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS024698.
Citation: Colla CH, Lewis VA, Stachowski C .
Changes in use of postacute care associated with accountable care organizations in hip fracture, stroke, and pneumonia hospitalized cohorts.
Med Care 2019 Jun;57(6):444-52. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001121..
Keywords: Injuries and Wounds, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitalization, Medicare, Pneumonia, Stroke
Delling FN, Vittinghoff E, Dewland TA
Does cannabis legalisation change healthcare utilisation? A population-based study using the healthcare cost and utilisation project in Colorado, USA.
Researchers studied whether the legalization of cannabis in Colorado has affected healthcare utilization compared to two states where it is still illegal (New York and Oklahoma). ICD-9 was used to determine changes in healthcare utilization relative to various medical diagnoses. According to the National Academy of Science (NAS), legal cannabis use creates an increase in cannabis abuse hospitalizations and also linked to motor vehicle accidents, alcohol abuse, and overdose injury and that was true in CO. There was not a change in hospital stays and costs in CO compared to NY and OK.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Delling FN, Vittinghoff E, Dewland TA .
Does cannabis legalisation change healthcare utilisation? A population-based study using the healthcare cost and utilisation project in Colorado, USA.
BMJ Open 2019 May 15;9(5):e027432. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027432..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Policy, Substance Abuse
Berry JG, Goodman DM, Coller RJ
Association of home respiratory equipment and supply use with health care resource utilization in children.
The purpose of this cohort study was to compare health care use and spending in children using vs not using respiratory medical equipment and supplies (RMES). The investigators found that the use of RMES was associated with high health care spending, especially with hospital and home health care. They suggest that population health initiatives in children may benefit from consideration of RMES in comprehensive risk assessment for health care spending.
AHRQ-funded; HS02513.
Citation: Berry JG, Goodman DM, Coller RJ .
Association of home respiratory equipment and supply use with health care resource utilization in children.
J Pediatr 2019 Apr;207:169-75.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.11.046..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Home Healthcare, Respiratory Conditions
Wickwire EM, Tom SE, Scharf SM
Untreated insomnia increases all-cause health care utilization and costs among Medicare beneficiaries.
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of untreated insomnia on health care utilization (HCU) among a representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Insomnia was defined as the presence of at least one claim containing an insomnia-related diagnosis in any given year based on ICD-9 or at least one prescription filled for an insomnia-related medication in Part D prescription drug files. Researchers compared HCU in the year prior to insomnia diagnosis with non-sleep disordered controls during the same period. The researchers conclude that the individuals in this randomly selected, representative sample with untreated insomnia demonstrated increased HCU and costs across all points of service.
AHRQ-funded; HS024560.
Citation: Wickwire EM, Tom SE, Scharf SM .
Untreated insomnia increases all-cause health care utilization and costs among Medicare beneficiaries.
Sleep 2019 Apr;42(4). doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsz007..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Medicare, Sleep Problems
Biener AI, Decker SL, Rohde F
AHRQ Author: Deck SL, Rohde F
Source of increased health care spending in the United States.
This infographic depicts MEPS information for five medical conditions that account for nearly 1/3 of all medical expenditures in 2015. Factors include the difference in spending associated with these conditions; the number of people treated for them; per capita costs; and related ambulatory visits and prescription drug costs as a proportion of health expenditures.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Biener AI, Decker SL, Rohde F .
Source of increased health care spending in the United States.
JAMA 2019 Mar 26;321(12):1147. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.0679..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
Martin BI, Mirza SK, Spina N
Trends in lumbar fusion procedure rates and associated hospital costs for degenerative spinal diseases in the United States, 2004 to 2015.
This study analyzed trends in lumbar fusion procedure rates for degenerative spinal diseases in the US from 2004 to 2015 as well as associated hospital costs. Spinal fusion is considered an appropriate procedure for spinal deformity and instability, but has limited evidence of effectiveness for primary disc herniation and spinal stenosis without instability. The analysis showed that aggregate hospital costs increased 177% during the analysis period with disc degeneration, herniation and stenosis accounted for 42.3% of the elective surgery. The largest increases in the elective surgery were for spondylolisthesis and scoliosis and has slightly decreased for those procedures with less evidence of effectiveness.
AHRQ-funded; HS024714.
Citation: Martin BI, Mirza SK, Spina N .
Trends in lumbar fusion procedure rates and associated hospital costs for degenerative spinal diseases in the United States, 2004 to 2015.
Spine 2019 Mar 1;44(5):369-76. doi: 10.1097/brs.0000000000002822..
Keywords: Back Health and Pain, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Surgery
Abdus S, Decker SL
AHRQ Author: Abdus S, Decker SL
Association between Medicaid adult nonemergency dental benefits and dental services use and expenditures.
AHRQ researchers compared nonemergency dental services use in states with and without Medicaid adult nonemergency dental benefits. Dental use increased in states with the Medicaid dental benefit. Out-of-pocket expenses decreased approximately 19 percent in covered states.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S, Decker SL .
Association between Medicaid adult nonemergency dental benefits and dental services use and expenditures.
J Am Dent Assoc 2019 Jan;150(1):24-33. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2018.08.010..
Keywords: Dental and Oral Health, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Medicaid, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
Meyers DJ, Chien AT, Nguyen KH
Association of team-based primary care with health care utilization and costs among chronically ill patients.
This study analyzed the value of team-based care practice on the treatment of patients, especially those with multiple chronic conditions. A large study was conducted using data from 18 academically affiliated primary care practices in the Boston, Massachusetts, area between 2011 and 2015. The study included 83,953 patients total with 19% of patients being younger than 18 years and the rest from 19-64 years of age. For patients with multiple chronic conditions, there was a statistically significant reduction in hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Among patients with less than 2 comorbidities, there was an increase in outpatient visits, hospitalizations and ambulatory care hospitalizations.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Meyers DJ, Chien AT, Nguyen KH .
Association of team-based primary care with health care utilization and costs among chronically ill patients.
JAMA Intern Med 2019 Jan;179(1):54-61. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.5118..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Emergency Department, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Primary Care, Teams
Crisp GD, Roberts AW, Esserman DA
The University of North Carolina's Health Care Pharmacy Assistance Program.
This study examined a program providing financial assistance to uninsured residents of North Carolina who need prescription medications. It found that from 2009 to 2011, the program served 7,180 patients in 81 counties. These patients received a mean of 23 prescriptions at an average cost of $754 per recipient per year.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032
Citation: Crisp GD, Roberts AW, Esserman DA .
The University of North Carolina's Health Care Pharmacy Assistance Program.
N C Med J. 2014 Sep-Oct;75(5):303-9..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Uninsured, Medication, Healthcare Utilization
Martin BI, Franklin GM, Deyo RA
How do coverage policies influence practice patterns, safety, and cost of initial lumbar fusion surgery? A population-based comparison of workers' compensation systems.
In response to increasing use of lumbar fusion for improving back pain, despite unclear efficacy, particularly among injured workers, this study compared the use of complex fusion techniques, adverse outcomes within 3 months, and costs for California and Washington State with workers’ compensation policies that differed in their coverage restrictions. The researchers found that California’s broader coverage policy was associated with more aggressive practice, higher rates of reoperation, readmission and other complications.
AHRQ-funded; HS018405
Citation: Martin BI, Franklin GM, Deyo RA .
How do coverage policies influence practice patterns, safety, and cost of initial lumbar fusion surgery? A population-based comparison of workers' compensation systems.
Spine J. 2014 Jul;14(7):1237-46. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2013.08..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Surgery, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization
Callaghan BC, Kerber KA, Pace RJ
Headaches and neuroimaging: high utilization and costs despite guidelines.
Little is known about recent headache neuroimaging utilization, associated expenditures, and temporal trends. Looking at 51.1 million outpatient headache visits over 4 years, this study found that neuroimaging is ordered during 12% of these visits, costs $1 billion annually, and is increasing over time.
AHRQ-funded; HS017690
Citation: Callaghan BC, Kerber KA, Pace RJ .
Headaches and neuroimaging: high utilization and costs despite guidelines.
JAMA Intern Med. 2014 May;174(5):819-21. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.173..
Keywords: Neurological Disorders, Healthcare Utilization, Guidelines, Healthcare Costs, Chronic Conditions