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Research Studies is a monthly compilation of research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers and recently published in journals or newsletters.
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1 to 25 of 68 Research Studies Displayed
Lewis VA, Spivack S, Murray GF
FQHC designation and safety net patient revenue associated with primary care practice capabilities for access and quality.
Researchers assessed capabilities around access to and quality of care among primary care practices serving a high share of Medicaid and uninsured patients compared to practices serving a low share of these patients. Data from the National Survey of Healthcare Organizations and Systems was analyzed. They found that federally qualified health centers were more likely than other types of primary care practices (both safety net practices and other practices) to possess capabilities related to access and quality. However, safety net practices were less likely than non-safety net practices to possess health information technology capabilities.
AHRQ-funded; HS024075.
Citation:
Lewis VA, Spivack S, Murray GF .
FQHC designation and safety net patient revenue associated with primary care practice capabilities for access and quality.
J Gen Intern Med 2021 Oct;36(10):2922-28. doi: 10.1007/s11606-021-06746-0..
Keywords:
Safety Net, Vulnerable Populations, Primary Care, Access to Care, Uninsured, Medicaid, Quality of Care
Berdahl TA, Moriya AS
Insurance coverage for non-standard workers: experiences of temporary workers, freelancers, and part-time workers in the USA, 2010-2017.
This AHRQ-authored paper estimates insurance disparities across non-standard employment categories and determines how coverage disparities shifted following health reform in 2014. Data on working-age adults was analyzed from the 2010-2012 and 2015-2017 MEPS. Uninsurance decreased after health reform for all groups of nonstandard workers with a 10-14% point decline. Uninsurance remained high for all freelance workers at 30.8%, full-time temporary workers (25.1%) and part-time workers (17.9%) compared to full-time workers (11.9%). Lower uninsurance in a Medicaid expansion state was found for all categories of workers.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation:
Berdahl TA, Moriya AS .
Insurance coverage for non-standard workers: experiences of temporary workers, freelancers, and part-time workers in the USA, 2010-2017.
J Gen Intern Med 2021 Jul;36(7):1997-2003. doi: 10.1007/s11606-021-06700-0..
Keywords:
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Health Insurance, Policy, Uninsured, Medicaid, Low-Income
Hatch B, Hoopes M, Darney BG
Impacts of the Affordable Care Act on receipt of women's preventive services in Community Health Centers in Medicaid expansion and nonexpansion states.
Researchers assessed whether ACA implementation and Medicaid expansion were followed by greater receipt of recommended preventive services among women and girls in a large network of community health centers. Data was collected from electronic health records in 14 states. The researchers found that among female patients at community health centers, receipt of recommended preventive care improved after ACA implementation in both Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states, although the overall rates remained low. They recommended continued support to overcome barriers to preventive care in this population.
AHRQ-funded; HS025155.
Citation:
Hatch B, Hoopes M, Darney BG .
Impacts of the Affordable Care Act on receipt of women's preventive services in Community Health Centers in Medicaid expansion and nonexpansion states.
Womens Health Issues 2021 Jan-Feb;31(1):9-16. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2020.08.011..
Keywords:
Community-Based Practice, Medicaid, Health Insurance, Uninsured, Access to Care, Policy, Cancer: Cervical Cancer, Cancer, Prevention, Women, Healthcare Utilization
Hudson JL, Moriya AS
The role of marketplace policy on welcome mat effects for children eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.
This study examined the role of marketplace policy on “welcome mat” effects for children eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Data from the American Community Survey from 2013-2018 was used to estimate the relationship between Marketplace policy and increases in Medicaid/CHIP coverage among pre-ACA eligible children after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The sample included non-disabled citizen children ages 0-18 at 139-250% federal poverty level who were Medicaid/CHIP-eligible before and after implementation of the ACA. Marketplace policies and enrollment were compared in expansion states versus non-expansion states. Public coverage did increase more in states that empowered their Marketplace to enroll publicly-eligible applicants directly into Medicaid/CHIP. This was driven by enrollment policy, not by choice of state-based versus federal-based Marketplaces. Welcome mats were largest in expansion states and increases ranged from 9 to 13 percentage points in enrollment.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation:
Hudson JL, Moriya AS .
The role of marketplace policy on welcome mat effects for children eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Inquiry 2020 Jan-Dec;57:46958020952920. doi: 10.1177/0046958020952920..
Keywords:
Children/Adolescents, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid, Health Insurance, Policy, Uninsured, Access to Care
Cha P, Brindis CD
Early Affordable Care Act Medicaid: coverage effects for low- and moderate-income young adults.
This study examined the effects of early Medicaid expansions on low- and moderate-income young adults. They used the American Community Survey 2008-2013 to study three early expansion states: California, Connecticut and Minnesota. Results shows that Medicaid expansion reduced uninsurance in all three states and increased public insurance in California and Minnesota. Young men benefitted more than young women, who historically tend to be uninsured.
AHRQ-funded; HS022241.
Citation:
Cha P, Brindis CD .
Early Affordable Care Act Medicaid: coverage effects for low- and moderate-income young adults.
J Adolesc Health 2020 Sep;67(3):425-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.05.029..
Keywords:
Young Adults, Policy, Medicaid, Uninsured, Access to Care
Zuvekas SH, McClellan CB, Ali MM
Medicaid expansion and health insurance coverage and treatment utilization among individuals with a mental health condition.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation:
Zuvekas SH, McClellan CB, Ali MM .
Medicaid expansion and health insurance coverage and treatment utilization among individuals with a mental health condition.
J Ment Health Policy Econ 2020 Sep 1;23(3):151-82..
Keywords:
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Behavioral Health, Medicaid, Health Insurance, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Policy, Uninsured
Porter A, Brown CC, Tilford JM
Association of insurance status with treatment and outcomes in pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury.
This study’s objective was to determine if a health insurance disparity exists among pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury using data from the National Trauma Data Bank. The Bank contains data from more than 800 trauma centers in the United States. Isolated traumatic brain injury was defined as patients with a head Abbreviated Injury Scale score of 3+. Procedure codes were used to identify four primary treatment approaches combined into 2 classifications: craniotomy or craniectomy and external or intracranial ventricular draining. Condition at admission was defined including hypotension, Glasgow Coma Scale, mechanism and intent of injury, and Injury Severity Scale. Among the cohort of 12,449 patients, 91% had insurance and 9% were uninsured. Children without insurance had worse condition at admission with higher rates of hypotension and higher Injury Severity Score when compared with publicly and privately insured patients. Having insurance was associated with a 32% increase in the odds of cranial procedures, and 54% increase in the odds of monitor placement. Insurance coverage was associated 25% lower odds of inpatient mortality. Further study is needed to determine what factors lead to worse condition at admission.
Citation:
Porter A, Brown CC, Tilford JM .
Association of insurance status with treatment and outcomes in pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury.
Crit Care Med 2020 Jul;48(7):e584-e91. doi: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000004398..
Keywords:
Children/Adolescents, Brain Injury, Trauma, Health Insurance, Access to Care, Uninsured, Outcomes
Darney BG, Biel FM, Rodriguez MI
Payment for contraceptive services in safety net clinics: roles of Affordable Care Act, Title X, and state programs.
This study examined trends in uninsured contraceptive visits before and after Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in a large network of safety-net clinics. Their sample included 237 safety net clinics in 11 states with a common electronic health record. The authors identified 162,666 contraceptive visits in 219 clinics and found a significant decline in uninsured visits. There was a slightly greater decline in expansion states than in non-expansion states.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981; HS025155.
Citation:
Darney BG, Biel FM, Rodriguez MI .
Payment for contraceptive services in safety net clinics: roles of Affordable Care Act, Title X, and state programs.
Med Care 2020 May;58(5):453-60. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001309..
Keywords:
Payment, Contraception, Safety Net, Policy, Uninsured, Women
Tilhou AS, Huguet N, DeVoe J
The Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion positively impacted community health centers and their patients.
In this paper, the investigators summarized their results to-date as experts in investigating the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion on Community Health Centers (CHCs) and the patients they serve. They found the ACA Medicaid expansion increased access to care and preventive services, primarily in Medicaid expansion states. Rates of physical and mental health conditions rose substantially from pre- to post-ACA in expansion states, suggesting underdiagnosis pre-ACA.
AHRQ-funded; HS024270.
Citation:
Tilhou AS, Huguet N, DeVoe J .
The Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion positively impacted community health centers and their patients.
J Gen Intern Med 2020 Apr;35(4):1292-95. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05571-w..
Keywords:
Policy, Medicaid, Community-Based Practice, Access to Care, Uninsured, Health Insurance
Ellis RJ, Schlick CJR, Feinglass J
Failure to administer recommended chemotherapy: acceptable variation or cancer care quality blind spot?
This study examined hospital variation in cancer patients who did not receive recommended chemotherapy. Patients with breast, colon, and lung cancers who did not receive chemotherapy from 2000 to 2015 were identified from the National Cancer Database. A total of 183,148 patients at 1281 hospitals were included. For breast cancer, 3.5% of patients failed to receive recommended chemotherapy, and 6.6% with colon, and 10.7% with lung cancer. Sociodemographic factors showed that patients were less likely to receive chemotherapy if they were uninsured or on Medicaid, as were non-Hispanic black patients with both breast and colon cancer. There was also significant hospital variation with failure to administer as high as 21.8% for breast, 40.2% for colon, and 40.0% for lung cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078; HS026385.
Citation:
Ellis RJ, Schlick CJR, Feinglass J .
Failure to administer recommended chemotherapy: acceptable variation or cancer care quality blind spot?
BMJ Qual Saf 2020 Feb;29(2):103-12. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2019-009742..
Keywords:
Chemotherapy, Cancer, Healthcare Delivery, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Socioeconomic Factors, Vulnerable Populations, Uninsured, Hospitals, Quality of Care, Treatments
DeLia D, Yedidia MJ
The policy and practice legacy of the New Jersey Medicaid ACO Demonstration Project.
This paper examined the New Jersey Medicaid Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Demonstration and what was learned from the Demonstration. The Demonstration did not lead to a sustainable accountable care financing model as hoped for. Instead, the ACOs evolved into community health coalitions focused on a wide range of activities in partnership with state government, private health systems, community leaders, and MCOs. Policy parameters are currently being developed by the state to reposition the ACOs as regional partners to implement state-directed population health initiatives.
AHRQ-funded; HS023493.
Citation:
DeLia D, Yedidia MJ .
The policy and practice legacy of the New Jersey Medicaid ACO Demonstration Project.
J Ambul Care Manage 2020 Jan/Mar;43(1):2-10. doi: 10.1097/jac.0000000000000308..
Keywords:
Medicaid, Policy, Health Insurance, Uninsured
Nguyen KH, Trivedi AN
Asian American access to care in the Affordable Care Act era: findings from a population-based survey in California.
This study compared coverage and access to care between non-Hispanic White and Asian American adults after the ACA in California. The data was disaggregated into the five most populous ethnic subgroups (Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Japanese). The outcomes measured were 1) being uninsured, 2) having a usual source of care, 3) delaying necessary medical care, and 4) delaying necessary prescription medications. The sample included 19,201 non-Hispanic White and 3077 Asian American adults aged 18 to 64 in California. Koreans were significantly less likely to report a usual source of care relative to non-Hispanic whites while Chinese and Vietnamese adults were significantly less likely to delay necessary care.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation:
Nguyen KH, Trivedi AN .
Asian American access to care in the Affordable Care Act era: findings from a population-based survey in California.
J Gen Intern Med 2019 Nov;34(11):2660-68. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05328-5..
Keywords:
Racial / Ethnic Minorities, Access to Care, Disparities, Health Insurance, Uninsured, Policy
Rasmussen PW, Kominski GF
Sources of success in California's individual marketplace under the Affordable Care Act.
When passed in 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became the greatest piece of health care reform in the United States since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid. In the 9 years since its passage, the law has ushered in a drastic decrease in the number of uninsured Americans and has encouraged delivery system innovation. Although, the ACA has not been uniformly embraced, California has been a leader. In this paper, the authors discuss sources of success in California's individual marketplace under the Affordable Care Act.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation:
Rasmussen PW, Kominski GF .
Sources of success in California's individual marketplace under the Affordable Care Act.
J Health Polit Policy Law 2019 Aug 1;44(4):679-706. doi: 10.1215/03616878-7530849..
Keywords:
Policy, Health Insurance, Uninsured, Medicaid, Medicare
Pickens G, Karaca Z, Gibson TB
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
Agarwal SD, Goldman AL, Sommers BD
Blue-collar workers had greatest insurance gains after ACA implementation.
The authors analyzed national survey data and found that workers in traditionally blue-collar industries experienced the largest gains in health insurance after implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014. They found that, compared to other occupations, this group had lower employer-based coverage rates before the ACA. Most of the post-ACA coverage gains came from Medicaid and directly-purchased non-group insurance.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation:
Agarwal SD, Goldman AL, Sommers BD .
Blue-collar workers had greatest insurance gains after ACA implementation.
Health Aff 2019 Jul;38(7):1140-44. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05454..
Keywords:
Health Insurance, Policy, Access to Care, Uninsured
Huguet N, Valenzuela S, Marino M
Following uninsured patients through Medicaid expansion: ambulatory care use and diagnosed conditions.
The authors assessed ambulatory care use and diagnosed health conditions among a cohort of community health center (CHC) patients uninsured before enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and followed them after enactment. They found that, post-ACA, 20.9% of patients remained uninsured, 15.0% gained Medicaid, 12.4% gained other insurance, and 51.7% did not have a visit. The authors concluded that a significant percentage of CHC patients remained uninsured; that many who remained uninsured had diagnosed health conditions; and that one-half continued to have three or more visits to CHCs, which continue to be essential providers for uninsured patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS024270.
Citation:
Huguet N, Valenzuela S, Marino M .
Following uninsured patients through Medicaid expansion: ambulatory care use and diagnosed conditions.
Ann Fam Med 2019 Jul;17(4):336-44. doi: 10.1370/afm.2385..
Keywords:
Access to Care, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Community-Based Practice, Health Insurance, Healthcare Delivery, Medicaid, Outpatient Care, Policy, Uninsured
Seo V, Baggett TP, Thorndike AN
Access to care among Medicaid and uninsured patients in community health centers after the Affordable Care Act.
This study assessed differences in access to care for patients at Community Health Centers (CHCs) between those with continuous Medicaid coverage and those with gaps in insurance coverage, in order to examine the role of Medicaid coverage on care patterns for those with available safety net care. Data on adult patients with continuous Medicaid coverage and those with a period without insurance coverage in the last 12 months was gathered from the 2014 Health Center Patient Survey. Reported need for various types of care, prescription drugs, or referrals to care outside of the CHC, and reports of being delayed or unable to get needed care by insurance status were examined. Patients with insurance gaps were significantly more likely to report having difficulty obtaining medical care, prescription drugs, dental care, and completing outside referrals. The authors conclude that continuous Medicaid coverage appears to mitigate barriers to care for CHC patients when compared to those who have intermittent or no insurance coverage. Policies that increase disruptions in coverage could adversely impact access to care, even among those with available safety net care.
AHRQ-funding; HS025378.
Citation:
Seo V, Baggett TP, Thorndike AN .
Access to care among Medicaid and uninsured patients in community health centers after the Affordable Care Act.
BMC Health Serv Res 2019 May 8;19(1):291. doi: 10.1186/s12913-019-4124-z..
Keywords:
Access to Care, Community-Based Practice, Health Insurance, Medicaid, Policy, Uninsured
Daniel VT, Ayturk D, Ward DV
The influence of payor status on outcomes associated with surgical repair of upper gastrointestinal perforations due to peptic ulcer disease in the United States.
An association between lack of insurance and inferior outcomes has been well described for a number of surgical emergencies, yet little is known about the relationship of payor status and outcomes of patients undergoing emergent surgical repair for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) perforations. In this study, the investigators evaluated the association of payor status and in-hospital mortality for patients undergoing emergency surgery for UGI perforations in the United States.
AHRQ-funded; HS022694.
Citation:
Daniel VT, Ayturk D, Ward DV .
The influence of payor status on outcomes associated with surgical repair of upper gastrointestinal perforations due to peptic ulcer disease in the United States.
Am J Surg 2019 Jan;217(1):121-25. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.06.025..
Keywords:
Adverse Events, Digestive Disease and Health, Health Insurance, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Mortality, Outcomes, Patient Safety, Surgery, Uninsured
Gordon SH, Sommers BD, Wilson IB
Risk factors for early disenrollment from Colorado's Affordable Care Act marketplace.
This study looked at risk factors for early disenrollment from Colorado’s Affordable Care Act marketplace. Researchers used all-payer claims data from individual market enrollees from 2014-2016. They discovered that nearly 25% Marketplace beneficiaries disenrolled midyear. The hazard rate of disenrollement was 30% lower in individuals with cost-sharing plans and 21% lower for those enrolled in gold plans compared to those enrolled in silver plans without cost-sharing subsidies. There was greater disenrollment in beneficiaries with greater hospital and emergency utilization before disenrollment. Also, young adults were 70% more likely to disenroll than older adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS025560.
Citation:
Gordon SH, Sommers BD, Wilson IB .
Risk factors for early disenrollment from Colorado's Affordable Care Act marketplace.
Med Care 2019 Jan;57(1):49-53. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001020..
Keywords:
Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance, Policy, Risk, Uninsured
Jacobs PD
Mandating health insurance coverage for high-income individuals.
In this study, the author describes the effect of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) individual mandate for health coverage by focusing on higher-income non-elderly adults and exploiting state differences in the rules governing premium setting and coverage issuance in the non-group market prior to 2014.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation:
Jacobs PD .
Mandating health insurance coverage for high-income individuals.
National Tax Journal 2018 Dec;71(4):807-28. doi: 10.17310/ntj.2018.4.10..
Keywords:
Health Insurance, Policy, Uninsured
Bradley CJ, Neumark D, Walker LS
The effect of primary care visits on other health care utilization: a randomized controlled trial of cash incentives offered to low income, uninsured adults in Virginia.
Investigators recruited low-income uninsured adults in Virginia to determine whether cash incentives would encourage primary care provider (PCP) visits as opposed to going to the hospital emergency room. This randomized, controlled trial determined that PCP visits did increase but no reductions in overall costs occurred there was an offset from increased outpatient utilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS022534.
Citation:
Bradley CJ, Neumark D, Walker LS .
The effect of primary care visits on other health care utilization: a randomized controlled trial of cash incentives offered to low income, uninsured adults in Virginia.
J Health Econ 2018 Nov;62:121-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2018.07.006..
Keywords:
Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Low-Income, Primary Care, Uninsured, Value, Vulnerable Populations
Keenan PS, Jacobs PD, Miller GE
Despite coverage gains, one-third of people in small-firm low-income families were uninsured in 2014-15.
Using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the investigators examined health insurance coverage for workers at small firms and the self-employed and found that the overall uninsurance rate for these workers and their families declined by 5 percentage points over the past decade, but one-third of those with lower incomes remained uninsured in 2014-15.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation:
Keenan PS, Jacobs PD, Miller GE .
Despite coverage gains, one-third of people in small-firm low-income families were uninsured in 2014-15.
Health Aff 2018 Oct;37(10):1673-77. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.0479..
Keywords:
Health Insurance, Low-Income, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Uninsured
Berdahl TA, Moriya AS
Difference in uninsurance rates between full- and part-time workers declined in 2014.
This study examined uninsurance rates between full and part time workers using data from 2010-2015. The authors found that uninsurance declined more for part-time workers, with pathways to coverage varying by state Medicaid expansion status.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation:
Berdahl TA, Moriya AS .
Difference in uninsurance rates between full- and part-time workers declined in 2014.
Health Aff 2018 Oct;37(10):1669-72. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.0345.
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.
Keywords:
Health Insurance, Medicaid, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Uninsured
Nguyen KH, Trivedi AN, Shireman TI
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults report continued problems affording care despite coverage gains.
This study’s investigators used data from three waves of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to examine access to a personal doctor, affordability of care, type of health insurance coverage, and self-reported health in LGB adults in the period January 2014-February 2017 in thirty-one states that implemented the Affordable Care Act system's sexual orientation module.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation:
Nguyen KH, Trivedi AN, Shireman TI .
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults report continued problems affording care despite coverage gains.
Health Aff 2018 Aug;37(8):1306-12. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.0281.
.
.
Keywords:
Access to Care, Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance, Uninsured, Vulnerable Populations
Decker SL, Moriya AS, Soni A
Coverage for self-employed and others without employer offers increased after 2014.
This study examined how the Affordable Care Act might have differentially affected insurance coverage for self-employed workers, wage earners with and without offers of employer-sponsored insurance, and people not employed.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation:
Decker SL, Moriya AS, Soni A .
Coverage for self-employed and others without employer offers increased after 2014.
Health Aff 2018 Aug;37(8):1238-42. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2017.1663..
Keywords:
Health Insurance, Policy, Uninsured
