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.
Results
1 to 5 of 5 Research Studies DisplayedSaulsberry L, Liao C, Huo D
Hypofractionated radiation therapy for breast cancer: financial risk and expenditures in the United States, 2008 to 2017.
This study examined the costs of hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (HF-WBI) compared with conventional whole breast irradiation (CF-WBI) and investigated the influences of patient characteristics and commercial insurance on HF-WBI use. This retrospective study used private employer-sponsored insurance claims to obtain a pooled cross-sectional evaluation of radiation therapy in patients with commercial insurance from 2008 to 2017. The study population included female patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with lumpectomy and whole breast irradiation. A total of 15,869 women received HF-WBI, and 59,328 CF-WBI. A higher proportion of college graduates and greater mixed racial composition was associated with increased HF-WBI use. Mean insurer-paid radiation therapy expenditures were significantly lower for HB-WBI versus CF-WBI (adjusted difference $6375). Mean patient out-of-pocket expenditures for HF-WBI was $139 less than for CF-WBI. Geographic variation existed across the United States with no consistent relationship between HF-WBI use and correspondent average cost differences.
AHRQ-funded; HS025806.
Citation: Saulsberry L, Liao C, Huo D .
Hypofractionated radiation therapy for breast cancer: financial risk and expenditures in the United States, 2008 to 2017.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2022 Mar;112(3):654-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.10.005..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Healthcare Costs, Women
Cliff BQ
Do high-deductible health plans affect price paid for childbirth?
The purpose of this study was to test whether out-of-pocket costs and negotiated hospital prices for childbirth change after enrollment in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and whether price effects differ in markets with more hospitals. Administrative medical claims data from three large commercial insurers with plans in all U.S. states was provided by the Health Care Cost Institute. Findings showed that prices for childbirth in markets with more hospitals decreased after HDHP switch due to lower hospital prices for HDHPs relative to prices at those same hospitals for non-HDHPs.
AHRQ-funded; HS025614.
Citation: Cliff BQ .
Do high-deductible health plans affect price paid for childbirth?
Health Serv Res 2022 Feb;57(1):27-36. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13702..
Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Health Insurance, Healthcare Costs, Women
Fendrick AM, Dalton VK, Tilea A
Out-of-pocket costs for colposcopy among commercially insured women from 2006 to 2019.
The objective of this study was to describe out-of-pocket costs for colposcopy and related services among age-appropriate, commercially insured women from 2006 to 2019. Findings suggested that out-of-pocket costs for colposcopy were very common and significant and have increased over time. Reported out-of-pocket costs for cervical cancer screening-related care, such as office visits, were not included, thus the findings may underestimate patients’ total financial burden.
AHRQ-funded; HS025465.
Citation: Fendrick AM, Dalton VK, Tilea A .
Out-of-pocket costs for colposcopy among commercially insured women from 2006 to 2019.
Obstet Gynecol 2022 Jan;139(1):113-15. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000004582..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Colonoscopy, Screening, Cancer: Cervical Cancer, Cancer, Prevention, Women
Dalton VK, Carlos RC, Kolenic GE
The impact of cost sharing on women's use of annual examinations and effective contraception.
The goal of this study was to describe the relationship between the elimination of out-of-pocket costs and women's use of preventive care office visits and long-acting reversible contraception after accounting for baseline levels of cost sharing. Researchers found that out-of-pocket costs were low prior to the Affordable Care Act, and that eliminating costs was associated with increases in preventive service use among those with high levels of cost, but effect sizes were low, suggesting that cost is only one barrier. They concluded that failing to recognize that cost sharing was already low could lead to a false inference that the elimination of cost sharing was ineffective.
AHRQ-funded; HS023784.
Citation: Dalton VK, Carlos RC, Kolenic GE .
The impact of cost sharing on women's use of annual examinations and effective contraception.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018 Jul;219(1):93.e1-93.e13. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.04.051..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Women, Sexual Health
Heisel E, Kolenic GE, Moniz MM
Intrauterine device insertion before and after mandated health care coverage: the importance of baseline costs.
This study evaluated changes in out-of-pocket cost for intrauterine device (IUD) placement before and after mandated coverage of contraceptive services and examined how changes in out-of-pocket cost influenced IUD insertion as a function of baseline cost. It concluded that women in plans with the greatest reduction in out-of-pocket cost after mandated coverage of contraception had the greatest gains in IUD insertion.
AHRQ-funded; HS023784.
Citation: Heisel E, Kolenic GE, Moniz MM .
Intrauterine device insertion before and after mandated health care coverage: the importance of baseline costs.
Obstet Gynecol 2018 May;131(5):843-49. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000002567.
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Keywords: Sexual Health, Women, Policy, Healthcare Costs