National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
Data
- Data Infographics
- Data Visualizations
- Data Tools
- Data Innovations
- All-Payer Claims Database
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
- AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics
- State Snapshots
- United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)
- Data Sources Available from AHRQ
Search All Research Studies
Topics
- Cancer (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (1)
- (-) Chronic Conditions (16)
- Comparative Effectiveness (1)
- Diabetes (3)
- Disparities (1)
- Elderly (9)
- Healthcare Costs (2)
- Healthcare Delivery (1)
- Health Insurance (1)
- Home Healthcare (1)
- Hospitalization (1)
- Hospital Readmissions (2)
- Hospitals (2)
- Low-Income (2)
- (-) Medicare (16)
- Medication (7)
- Mortality (1)
- Opioids (2)
- Outcomes (1)
- Pain (2)
- Patient Adherence/Compliance (2)
- Patient Safety (1)
- Practice Patterns (1)
- Primary Care (2)
- Provider (1)
- Provider: Clinician (1)
- Provider: Nurse (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- Respiratory Conditions (3)
- Risk (1)
- Sleep Problems (2)
- Transitions of Care (1)
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 16 of 16 Research Studies DisplayedGlynn A, Hernandez I, Roberts ET
Consequences of forgoing prescription drug subsidies among low-income Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes.
This study’s objective was to estimate the take-up of the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes and examine differences in out-of-pocket costs and prescription drug use between LIS enrollees and LIS-eligible non-enrollees. Data from the Health and Retirement Study linked to Medicare administrative data from 2008 to 2016 was used. The authors first estimated LIS take-up stratified by income (≤100% of the Federal Poverty Level [FPL] and >100% to ≤150% of FPL). Second, to assess the consequences of forgoing the LIS among near-poor beneficiaries (incomes >100% to ≤150% of FPL), they conducted propensity score-weighted regression analyses to compare out-of-pocket costs, prescription drug use, and cost-related medication non-adherence among LIS enrollees and LIS-eligible non-enrollees. Among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, 68.1% of those considered near-poor (incomes >100% to ≤150% of FPL) received the LIS, compared to 90.3% of those with incomes ≤100% of FPL. Among near-poor beneficiaries, LIS-eligible non-enrollees incurred higher annual out-of-pocket drug spending ($518], filled 7.3 fewer prescriptions for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia drugs, and were 8.9 percentage points more likely to report skipping drugs due to cost. all compared to LIS enrollees.
AHRQ-funded; HS026727.
Citation: Glynn A, Hernandez I, Roberts ET .
Consequences of forgoing prescription drug subsidies among low-income Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes.
Health Serv Res 2022 Oct;57(5):1136-44. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13990..
Keywords: Medication, Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Low-Income, Medicare, Healthcare Costs
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.
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
Romman AN, Hsu CM, Chou LN
Opioid prescribing to Medicare Part D enrollees, 2013-2017: shifting responsibility to pain management providers.
This study looked at trends in opioid prescribing frequency to Medicare Part D enrollees from 2013 to 2017 by medical specialty and provider type. The authors analyzed opioid claims and prescribing trends for specialties accounting for ≥1% of all opioid claims. Pain management specialists increased Medicare Part D opioid claims by 27.3% to 1,140 mean claims per provider in 2017. Physical medicine and rehabilitation providers increased claims by 16.9% to 511 mean claims per provider in 2017. All other medical specialties decreased opioid claims during this period, with emergency medicine decreasing the most (-19.9%) and orthopedic surgery (-16%) dropping opioid claims the most of all the other specialties. Overall physician decrease was -5.2%. However opioid claims among dentists (+5.6%) and nonphysician providers (+10.2%) increased during this period.
AHRQ-funded; HS020642.
Citation: Romman AN, Hsu CM, Chou LN .
Opioid prescribing to Medicare Part D enrollees, 2013-2017: shifting responsibility to pain management providers.
Pain Med 2020 Nov 7;21(7):1400-07. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnz344..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Medication, Medicare, Pain, Chronic Conditions, Practice Patterns
Fraze TK, Briggs ADM, Whitcomb EK
Role of nurse practitioners in caring for patients with complex health needs.
The objective of this study was to estimate trends in the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries cared for by nurse practitioners from 2012 to 2017, to characterize beneficiaries cared for by nurse practitioners in 2017, and to examine how the percentage of beneficiaries cared for by nurse practitioners varies by practice characteristics. Findings showed that nurse practitioners are caring for Medicare beneficiaries with complex needs at rates that match or exceed their physician colleagues. The growing role of nurse practitioners, especially in health care systems, warrants attention as organizations embark on payment and delivery reform.
AHRQ-funded; HS024075.
Citation: Fraze TK, Briggs ADM, Whitcomb EK .
Role of nurse practitioners in caring for patients with complex health needs.
Med Care 2020 Oct;58(10):853-60. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001364..
Keywords: Provider: Clinician, Provider: Nurse, Provider, Chronic Conditions, Primary Care, Medicare
Myers LC, Faridi MK, Hasegawa K
The hospital readmissions reduction program and readmissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 2006-2015.
In October 2012, the initial phase of the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program imposed financial penalties on hospitals with higher-than-expected risk-adjusted 30-day readmission rates for Medicare beneficiaries with congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and pneumonia. In this study, the investigators hypothesized that these penalties may also be associated with decreased readmissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the general population before COPD became a target condition (October 2014).
AHRQ-funded; HS023305.
Citation: Myers LC, Faridi MK, Hasegawa K .
The hospital readmissions reduction program and readmissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 2006-2015.
Ann Am Thorac Soc 2020 Apr;17(4):450-56. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201909-672OC..
Keywords: Respiratory Conditions, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitals, Chronic Conditions, Medicare
Mueller S, Zheng J, Orav EJ
Inter-hospital transfer and patient outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.
Inter-hospital transfer (IHT, the transfer of patients between hospitals) occurs regularly and exposes patients to risks of discontinuity of care, though outcomes of transferred patients remains largely understudied. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the association between IHT and healthcare utilisation and clinical outcomes. The investigators concluded that IHT was associated with higher costs, longer LOS and lower odds of discharge home, but was differentially associated with odds of early death and 30 -day mortality depending on patients' disease category.
AHRQ-funded; HS023331.
Citation: Mueller S, Zheng J, Orav EJ .
Inter-hospital transfer and patient outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.
BMJ Qual Saf 2019 Nov;28(11):e1. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2018-008087..
Keywords: Transitions of Care, Hospitals, Patient Safety, Elderly, Outcomes, Chronic Conditions, Mortality, Medicare
Singh G, Agarwal A, Zhang W
Impact of PAP therapy on hospitalization rates in Medicare beneficiaries with COPD and coexisting OSA.
This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from a national sample of fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coexisting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who had begun positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in 2011. The effect of PAP therapy on emergency room visits and hospitalizations for all-cause and COPD-related conditions was also examined. PAP therapy was more beneficial for older adults, those with higher COPD complexity, and those with three or more comorbidities. PAP therapy in elderly patients with overlap syndrome is associated with a reduction in hospitalization for COPD-related conditions, but not for all-cause hospitalizations or ER visits.
AHRQ-funded; HS020642; HS022134.
Citation: Singh G, Agarwal A, Zhang W .
Impact of PAP therapy on hospitalization rates in Medicare beneficiaries with COPD and coexisting OSA.
Sleep Breath 2019 Mar;23(1):193-200. doi: 10.1007/s11325-018-1680-0..
Keywords: Respiratory Conditions, Sleep Problems, Hospitalization, Medicare, Chronic Conditions
Starr P, Agarwal A, Singh G
Obstructive sleep apnea with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among Medicare beneficiaries.
This research letter describes a claims-based study of Medicare beneficiaries conducted by the authors that examined the diagnosed prevalence and trend of overlap syndrome (the coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] in a single individual). A total of 159,084 patients with COPD were included in the study; 11 percent had coexisting OSA. Data were gathered from multiple files: the Medicare Denominator File, the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review File, the Outpatient Standard Analytic File, the 100% Physician/Supplier Data File, and the Durable Medical Equipment File. Medicare enrollment files were used to gather information on patient characteristics and categorize subjects by age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status. The authors note that the prevalence of diagnosed overlap syndrome has increased fourfold during the 10-year study period.
AHRQ-funded; HS020642; HS022134.
Citation: Starr P, Agarwal A, Singh G .
Obstructive sleep apnea with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among Medicare beneficiaries.
Ann Am Thorac Soc 2019 Jan;16(1):153-56. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201712-932OC..
Keywords: Sleep Problems, Respiratory Conditions, Medicare, Chronic Conditions
Maciejewski ML, Hammill BG, Voils CI
Prescriber continuity and medication availability in older adults with cardiometabolic conditions.
Researchers examined whether the number of prescribers of essential medications was associated with the availability of medications, a surrogate for adherence, to manage diabetes, hypertension or dyslipidemia. They found that the number of prescribers was not significantly associated with availability of oral diabetes agents but having more prescribers is associated with increased medication availability in older Medicare beneficiaries with dyslipidemia or hypertension.
AHRQ-funded; HS023085.
Citation: Maciejewski ML, Hammill BG, Voils CI .
Prescriber continuity and medication availability in older adults with cardiometabolic conditions.
SAGE Open Med 2018 Feb 6;6:2050312118757388. doi: 10.1177/2050312118757388.
.
.
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Elderly, Medicare, Medication, Patient Adherence/Compliance
Shen C, Zhao B, Liu L
Adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors among Medicare Part D beneficiaries with chronic myeloid leukemia.
The authors of this study identified 836 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with Medicare Part D insurance coverage who were new tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) users and examined treatment nonadherence. They indicted that the current population-based study found a significantly higher rate of nonadherence among heavily subsidized patients with substantially lower out-of-pocket costs, which suggested that future research is needed to help lower the nonadherence rate among these individuals.
AHRQ-funded; HS020263.
Citation: Shen C, Zhao B, Liu L .
Adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors among Medicare Part D beneficiaries with chronic myeloid leukemia.
Cancer 2018 Jan 15;124(2):364-73. doi: 10.1002/cncr.31050.
.
.
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Medication, Medicare, Patient Adherence/Compliance
Xue Y, Goodwin JS, Adhikari D
Trends in primary care provision to Medicare beneficiaries by physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants: 2008-2014.
This study documented the temporal trends in alternative primary care models in which physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), or physician assistants (PAs) engaged in care provision to the elderly, and examined the role of these models in serving elders with multiple chronic conditions. It found a decrease in the physician model and an increase in the shared care model and NP/PA model from 2008 to 2014.
AHRQ-funded; HS020642; HS022134.
Citation: Xue Y, Goodwin JS, Adhikari D .
Trends in primary care provision to Medicare beneficiaries by physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants: 2008-2014.
J Prim Care Community Health 2017 Oct;8(4):256-63. doi: 10.1177/2150131917736634.
.
.
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Elderly, Healthcare Delivery, Primary Care, Medicare
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
Kuo YF, Raji MA, Chen NW
Trends in opioid prescriptions among Part D Medicare recipients From 2007 to 2012.
The researchers used national Medicare data from 2007-2012 to assess temporal and geographic trends in rates of opioid prescription and relationship to opioid toxicity and different state regulations in Part D Medicare recipients. Their analyses of the Medicare data demonstrated substantial growth in opioid prescriptions from 2007 to 2011 and large variation in opioid prescriptions across states.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Kuo YF, Raji MA, Chen NW .
Trends in opioid prescriptions among Part D Medicare recipients From 2007 to 2012.
Am J Med 2016 Feb;129(2):221.e21-30. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.10.002..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Elderly, Medicare, Medication, Opioids, Pain
Thacker EL, Muntner P, Zhao H
Claims-based algorithms for identifying Medicare beneficiaries at high estimated risk for coronary heart disease events: a cross-sectional study.
The researchers sought to develop claims-based algorithms to identify individuals at high risk for coronary artery disease (CHD) and to identify low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol among statin users at high risk for CHD events. They found that despite low sensitivity, the high predictive value of their algorithm for high risk for CHD events supports the use of claims to identify Medicare beneficiaries at high risk for CHD events.
AHRQ-funded; HS018517
Citation: Thacker EL, Muntner P, Zhao H .
Claims-based algorithms for identifying Medicare beneficiaries at high estimated risk for coronary heart disease events: a cross-sectional study.
BMC Health Serv Res. 2014 Apr 29;14:195. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-14-195..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Medicare, Risk, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions
Chrischilles E, Schneider K, Wilwert J
Beyond comorbidity: expanding the definition and measurement of complexity among older adults using administrative claims data.
Studies of patients with multiple chronic conditions using claims data are often missing important determinants of treatments and outcomes, such as function status and disease severity. In this study, the investigators sought to identify and evaluate a class of function-related indicators (FRIs) from administrative claims data. The investigators concluded that claims data studies that include indicators of potentially diminished patient functional status better capture heterogeneity of patients with multiple chronic conditions.
AHRQ-funded; HS019440.
Citation: Chrischilles E, Schneider K, Wilwert J .
Beyond comorbidity: expanding the definition and measurement of complexity among older adults using administrative claims data.
Med Care 2014 Mar;52(Suppl 3):S75-S84. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000026..
Keywords: Elderly, Chronic Conditions, Medicare