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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
51 to 75 of 134 Research Studies DisplayedBorza T, Oerline MK, Skolarus TA
Association between hospital participation in Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations and readmission following major surgery.
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and readmission rates following major surgery. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a 20% national Medicare sample to identify beneficiaries undergoing 1 of 7 common surgical procedures: abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, colectomy, cystectomy, prostatectomy, lung resection, total knee arthroplasty, and total hip arthroplasty between 2010 and 2014. Thirty-day risk-adjusted readmission rates was the primary outcome studied. Out of 2974 hospitals in the study, 389 were ACO affiliated. While rates fell for both cohorts, ACO hospitals had a higher decrease in hospitalizations over the same time period.
AHRQ-funded; HS024728; HS024525.
Citation: Borza T, Oerline MK, Skolarus TA .
Association between hospital participation in Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations and readmission following major surgery.
Ann Surg 2019 May;269(5):873-78. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000002737..
Keywords: Hospitals, Surgery, Hospital Readmissions, Medicare, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Delivery
Bain AM, Werner RM, Yuan Y
Do hospitals participating in accountable care organizations discharge patients to higher quality nursing homes?
This study examined whether hospitals participating in Medicare's Shared Saving Program increased use of highly rated skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) or decreased the use of low-rated SNFs after initiation of accountable care organization (ACO) contracts, compared with non-ACO hospitals. The findings indicate that, after joining an ACO, the percentage of hospital discharges going to a high-quality SNF increased slightly; the probability of discharge from ACO-participating hospitals to low-quality SNFs did not change significantly in comparison with non-ACO hospitals.
AHRQ-funded; HS024266.
Citation: Bain AM, Werner RM, Yuan Y .
Do hospitals participating in accountable care organizations discharge patients to higher quality nursing homes?
J Hosp Med 2019 May;14(5):288-89. doi: 10.12788/jhm.3147..
Keywords: Elderly, Hospital Discharge, Hospitals, Medicare, Nursing Homes, Quality of Care
Belenky N, Pence BW, Cole SR
Impact of Medicare Part D on mental health treatment and outcomes for dual eligible beneficiaries with HIV.
This study examined the potential effects on mental health treatment and outcomes for dual Medicare-Medicaid eligible women with HIV when Medicare Part D was implemented in 2006. Data from the Women’s Interagency HIV Study from 2003-2008 was used. No disruptive effects were found with changes in antidepressant use, depressive symptoms or hospitalization.
AHRQ-funded; HS024858; HS000032.
Citation: Belenky N, Pence BW, Cole SR .
Impact of Medicare Part D on mental health treatment and outcomes for dual eligible beneficiaries with HIV.
AIDS Care 2019 Apr;31(4):505-12. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1516283..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Medicare, Medication
Bazzoli GJ, Harless DW, Chukmaitov AS
A taxonomy of hospitals participating in Medicare accountable care organizations.
In this study, the investigators identified hospital ACO participant subgroups that share certain capabilities and competencies to provide deeper understanding of the structure and operation of these organizations. Their findings provide a baseline to track the evolution of accountable care organization (ACO) hospitals over time. The authors suggest that ACOs need to consider not only geographic and service mix when selecting hospital participants but also their vertical integration features and management competencies.
AHRQ-funded; HS023332.
Citation: Bazzoli GJ, Harless DW, Chukmaitov AS .
A taxonomy of hospitals participating in Medicare accountable care organizations.
Health Care Manage Rev 2019 Apr/Jun;44(2):93-103. doi: 10.1097/hmr.0000000000000159..
Keywords: Healthcare Delivery, Hospitals, Medicare
Chukmaitov AS, Harless DW, Bazzoli GJ
Factors associated with hospital participation in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Accountable Care Organization programs.
The aim of this study was to assess the organizational and environmental characteristics associated with hospital participation in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) and Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). The investigators found that hospital participation in both Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ACO programs was associated with prior experience with risk-based payments and care management programs, advanced health information technology, and location in higher-income and more competitive areas.
AHRQ-funded; HS023332.
Citation: Chukmaitov AS, Harless DW, Bazzoli GJ .
Factors associated with hospital participation in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Accountable Care Organization programs.
Health Care Manage Rev 2019 Apr/Jun;44(2):104-14. doi: 10.1097/hmr.0000000000000182..
Keywords: Payment, Medicare, Hospitals
Modi PK, Kaufman SR, Caram MV
Impact of Medicare office visit payment reform on urologic practices.
This study analyzed the impact of the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule on urologic practices. This new payment system modifies reimbursement for office evaluation and management visits. Researchers used a sample of 20% of National Medicare claims. They identified 2822 practices ranging from solo to multispecialty groups. Solo practices had the least benefit in reimbursement with most practices having a small increase in payment.
AHRQ-funded; HS025707.
Citation: Modi PK, Kaufman SR, Caram MV .
Impact of Medicare office visit payment reform on urologic practices.
Urology 2019 Apr;126:83-88. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2019.01.013..
Keywords: Medicare, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Payment, Policy
Post B, Ryan AM, Moloci NM
Physician participation in Medicare Accountable Care Organizations and spillovers in commercial spending.
The purpose of this retrospective, longitudinal study was to determine if physicians who participated in a Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) reduced spending among their commercially insured patients in Michigan. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) claims data from 2010 to 2015 was used to compare patients who experienced a significant clinical episode and were seen by physicians who participated in a Medicare ACO with those whose physicians were not part of an ACO. The researchers conclude that physicians who participated in Medicare ACOs did not reduce spending among most of their commercially insured patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS024525; HS024728.
Citation: Post B, Ryan AM, Moloci NM .
Physician participation in Medicare Accountable Care Organizations and spillovers in commercial spending.
Med Care 2019 Apr;57(4):305-11. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001081..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Healthcare Costs, Medicare
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
Mobley LR, Kuo TM, Zhou M
What happened to disparities in CRC screening among FFS Medicare enrollees following Medicare modernization?
This study examined the effects of the change in policy for colorectal screening that was implemented in 2006 for FFS Medicare beneficiaries. This new policy eliminated copayments for colonoscopies or sigmoidoscopies. Disparities in screening by race (Blacks, Asians and Hispanics relative to Whites), and gender (Males relative to Females). The time periods 2001-2005 and 2006-2009 were compared and while there was some improvement in screening rates for minorities and women, the progress was unevenly distributed across the USA.
AHRQ-funded; HS021752.
Citation: Mobley LR, Kuo TM, Zhou M .
What happened to disparities in CRC screening among FFS Medicare enrollees following Medicare modernization?
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2019 Apr;6(2):273-91. doi: 10.1007/s40615-018-0522-x..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Colonoscopy, Disparities, Medicare, Screening
Nuti SV, Li SX, Xu X
Association of in-hospital resource utilization with post-acute spending in Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction: a cross-sectional study.
This study compared costs among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 and over hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) from 2010 to 2013 in the Premiere Healthcare Database. The association of in-hospital and post-acute care resource utilization and outcomes was examined. Researchers concluded that greater resource utilization during hospitalization was not associated with meaning differences in costs or mortality rates after hospitalization.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Nuti SV, Li SX, Xu X .
Association of in-hospital resource utilization with post-acute spending in Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction: a cross-sectional study.
BMC Health Serv Res 2019 Mar 25;19(1):190. doi: 10.1186/s12913-019-4018-0..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Healthcare Costs, Hospitalization, Medicare
Blecker S, Herrin J, Li L
Trends in hospital readmission of Medicare-covered patients with heart failure.
This study sought to compare trends in Medicare risk-adjusted, 30-day readmissions following principal heart failure (HF) hospitalizations and other hospitalizations with HF. The investigators found that patients with HF are often hospitalized for other causes, and these hospitalizations have high readmission rates. Policy changes led to decreases in readmission rates for both principal and secondary HF hospitalizations. Readmission rates in both groups remained high, suggesting that initiatives targeting all hospitalized patients with HF continue to be warranted.
AHRQ-funded; HS022882; HS023683.
Citation: Blecker S, Herrin J, Li L .
Trends in hospital readmission of Medicare-covered patients with heart failure.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2019 Mar 12;73(9):1004-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.12.040..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitalization, Medicare, Policy
Shubeck SP, Thumma JR, Dimick JB
Hot spotting as a strategy to identify high-cost surgical populations.
Prospective identification of high-cost patients, known as "hot spotting," is well developed in medical populations, but has not been performed in surgical populations. Population-based management of surgical expenditures requires identification of high-cost surgical patients to allow for effective implementation of cost-saving strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of "hot spotting" in elective surgical populations. The investigators found that a subset of multimorbid patients was responsible for a disproportionate share of total Medicare spending, but the individual components of spending vary by procedure.
AHRQ-funded; HS024763.
Citation: Shubeck SP, Thumma JR, Dimick JB .
Hot spotting as a strategy to identify high-cost surgical populations.
Ann Surg 2019 Mar;269(3):453-58. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000002663..
Keywords: Surgery, Healthcare Costs, Medicare
Huckfeldt P, Escarce J, Sood N
Thirty-day postdischarge mortality among black and white patients 65 years and older in the Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.
The goal of this cohort study was to determine whether short-term mortality rates increased among black and white adults 65 years and older after initiation of the Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) and whether trends differed by race. Using an interrupted time-series analysis, the researchers found that short-term post-discharge mortality did not appear to increase for black patients under the HRRP, suggesting that certain value-based payment policies can be implemented without harming black populations. However, mortality seemed to increase for white patients with heart failure; this situation warrants investigation.
AHRQ-funded; HS025394.
Citation: Huckfeldt P, Escarce J, Sood N .
Thirty-day postdischarge mortality among black and white patients 65 years and older in the Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.
JAMA Netw Open 2019 Mar;2(3):e190634. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.0634..
Keywords: Medicare, Elderly, Mortality, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Hospital Discharge
Dinan MA, Wilson LE, Reed SD
Chemotherapy costs and 21-gene recurrence score genomic testing among Medicare beneficiaries with early-stage breast cancer, 2005 to 2011.
This study examined whether associations between 21-gene recurrence score (RS) genomic testing and lower costs among patients with early-stage, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer were observable in real-world data from the Medicare population. The investigators found that RS testing was associated with lower overall and chemotherapy-related costs in patients with high-risk disease, consistent with lower chemotherapy use among these patients. Higher overall costs for patients with intermediate-risk and low-risk disease were driven largely by non-treatment-related costs.
AHRQ-funded; HS022189.
Citation: Dinan MA, Wilson LE, Reed SD .
Chemotherapy costs and 21-gene recurrence score genomic testing among Medicare beneficiaries with early-stage breast cancer, 2005 to 2011.
J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2019 Mar;17(3):245-54. doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2018.7097..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Treatments, Genetics, Healthcare Costs, Medicare, Women
Hanchate AD, Dyer KS, Paasche-Orlow MK
Disparities in emergency department visits among collocated racial/ethnic Medicare enrollees.
In this retrospective cohort study, the investigators estimated emergency department (ED) use differences across Medicare enrollees of different race/ethnicity who were residing in the same zip codes. The investigators found that among Medicare enrollees, blacks and Hispanics had higher ED use rates than whites overall and among subgroups by demographics and socioeconomic status.
AHRQ-funded; HS022242.
Citation: Hanchate AD, Dyer KS, Paasche-Orlow MK .
Disparities in emergency department visits among collocated racial/ethnic Medicare enrollees.
Ann Emerg Med 2019 Mar;73(3):225-35. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2018.09.007..
Keywords: Disparities, Emergency Department, Healthcare Utilization, Medicare, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
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
Kim D, Funk RJ, Yan P
Informal clinical integration in Medicare accountable care organizations and mortality following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Researchers looked at national Medicare data from 2008-2014 to determine if informal clinical integration in accountable care organizations (ACOs) made a difference in mortality rates in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The cohort used were Medicare beneficiaries age 66 and older undergoing CABG. Results from ACO-participating health systems were compared with nonparticipating systems. Informal clinical integration made a difference in mortality, however there was no difference based on ACO participation for health systems on the low to moderate range.
AHRQ-funded; HS024525; HS024728.
Citation: Kim D, Funk RJ, Yan P .
Informal clinical integration in Medicare accountable care organizations and mortality following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Med Care 2019 Mar;57(3):194-201. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001052..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Medicare, Mortality, Outcomes, Surgery
Albrecht JS, Wickwire EM, Vadlamani A
Trends in insomnia diagnosis and treatment among Medicare beneficiaries, 2006-2013.
In this study, the investigators examined trends in insomnia diagnosis and treatment among Medicare beneficiaries over an eight-year period. In this large national analysis of Medicare beneficiaries, prevalence of physician-assigned insomnia diagnoses was low but increased over time. Prevalence of insomnia medication use was up to four-times higher than insomnia diagnoses and remained steady over time.
AHRQ-funded; HS024560.
Citation: Albrecht JS, Wickwire EM, Vadlamani A .
Trends in insomnia diagnosis and treatment among Medicare beneficiaries, 2006-2013.
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2019 Mar;27(3):301-09. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2018.10.017..
Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Elderly, Medicare, Sleep Problems
Hartung DM, Johnston K, Geddes J
Buprenorphine coverage in the Medicare Part D program for 2007 to 2018.
This letter discusses a study which looked into coverage of buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUP) with Medicare. The majority of plans do cover the generic version. However, the number of plans which require previous authorization has increased over from 2007 to 2018. This may hamper treatment by primary care physicians.
AHRQ-funded; HS024227.
Citation: Hartung DM, Johnston K, Geddes J .
Buprenorphine coverage in the Medicare Part D program for 2007 to 2018.
JAMA 2019 Feb 12;321(6):607-09. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.20391..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Medicare, Medication, Opioids, Substance Abuse
Doll JA, Hellkamp AS, Thomas L
The association of pre- and posthospital medication adherence in myocardial infarction patients.
Nonadherence to optimal medical therapy following myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with adverse clinical outcomes such as stent thrombosis, recurrent cardiovascular events, and death. Whether adherence to medications prior to MI predicts post-MI medication adherence is unknown. In this study, the investigators assessed adherence to P2Y12 inhibitors and statins before and after admission for MI among 8,147 MI patients who had Medicare insurance with Part D prescription coverage.
AHRQ-funded; HS021092.
Citation: Doll JA, Hellkamp AS, Thomas L .
The association of pre- and posthospital medication adherence in myocardial infarction patients.
Am Heart J 2019 Feb;208:74-80. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2018.11.004..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Heart Disease and Health, Medicare, Medication, Patient Adherence/Compliance
Lin SC, Regenbogen SE, Hollingsworth JM
Coordination of care around surgery for colon cancer: insights from national patterns of physician encounters with Medicare beneficiaries.
This study researched the coordination of care before and after surgery for colon cancer patients using data from Medicare A and B records. There were quite a number of different combinations of care providers both preoperative and postoperative. Larger urban teaching hospitals had the most combinations in all phases.
AHRQ-funded; HS024525; HS024728.
Citation: Lin SC, Regenbogen SE, Hollingsworth JM .
Coordination of care around surgery for colon cancer: insights from national patterns of physician encounters with Medicare beneficiaries.
J Oncol Pract 2019 Feb;15(2):e110-e21. doi: 10.1200/jop.18.00228..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Care Coordination, Medicare, Surgery
Nathan H, Thumma JR, Ryan AM
Early impact of Medicare accountable care organizations on inpatient surgical spending.
This study evaluated whether hospital participation in accountable care organizations (ACOs) is associated with reduced Medicare spending for inpatient surgery. Medicare Shared Savings Programs (MSSP) have shown some modest success in reducing overall medical spending, but has not been studied on its impact in reducing surgical spending. Medicare claims from 2010 to 2014 were evaluated for patients aged 65 to 99 years undergoing 6 common elective surgical procedures: abdominal aortic aneurysm, colectomy, coronary artery bypass grafting, hip or knee replacement, or lung resection. A total of 341,675 patients at 427 ACO hospitals and over 1 million matched controls at non-ACO hospitals were used to compare surgical costs. There was not an overall reducing in total Medicare patients between the two hospital types.
AHRQ-funded; HS024763.
Citation: Nathan H, Thumma JR, Ryan AM .
Early impact of Medicare accountable care organizations on inpatient surgical spending.
Ann Surg 2019 Feb;269(2):191-96. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000002819..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Hospitals, Inpatient Care, Medicare, Surgery, Quality of Care
Markovitz AA, Hollingsworth JM, Ayanian JZ
Risk adjustment in Medicare ACO program deters coding increases but may lead ACOs to drop high-risk beneficiaries.
The purpose of this study was to examine whether beneficiaries' exposure to the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) was associated with changes in risk scores and whether risk scores were associated with entry to or exit from the MSSP. Findings indicate that MSSP was not associated with consistent changes in within-beneficiary risk scores, but that beneficiaries at the 95th percentile of risk score had a higher chance of exiting the MSSP when compared to beneficiaries at the 50th percentile. The researchers conclude that decision not to upwardly adjust risk scores in the MSSP has successfully deterred coding increases, but this might discourage accountable care organizations to care for high-risk beneficiaries.
AHRQ-funded; HS024525; HS024728; HS025615.
Citation: Markovitz AA, Hollingsworth JM, Ayanian JZ .
Risk adjustment in Medicare ACO program deters coding increases but may lead ACOs to drop high-risk beneficiaries.
Health Aff 2019 Feb;38(2):253-61. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05407..
Keywords: Medicare, Payment
Weech-Maldonado R, Lord J, Pradhan R
High Medicaid nursing homes: organizational and market factors associated with financial performance.
The purpose of this study was to examine the organizational and market factors that may be associated with better financial performance among high Medicaid nursing homes. Data sources included Long-Term Care Focus (LTCFocus), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) Medicare Cost Reports, CMS Nursing Home Compare, and the Area Health Resource File (AHRF) for 2009-2015. Higher financial performing facilities were characterized as having nurse practitioners/physician assistants, more beds, higher occupancy rate, higher Medicare and Medicaid census, and being for-profit and located in less competitive markets.
AHRQ-funded; HS023345; HS013852.
Citation: Weech-Maldonado R, Lord J, Pradhan R .
High Medicaid nursing homes: organizational and market factors associated with financial performance.
Inquiry 2019 Jan-Dec;56:46958018825061. doi: 10.1177/0046958018825061..
Keywords: Nursing Homes, Medicaid, Medicare
Olivieri-Mui B, McGuire J, Cahill S
People living with HIV in U.S. nursing homes in the fourth decade of the epidemic.
This study described the sociodemographic characteristics as well as the antiretroviral therapy treatment and physical and mental health among Medicare-eligible persons living with HIV (PLWH) in nursing homes (NHs). Of the newer admissions, results showed that they were older, had higher prevalence of viral hepatitis and anemia, but had less pneumonia and dementia. NH nurses can better anticipate health care needs of PLWH using these health profiles, understanding that there have been changes in the health of PLWH at admission over time.
AHRQ-funded; HS025662.
Citation: Olivieri-Mui B, McGuire J, Cahill S .
People living with HIV in U.S. nursing homes in the fourth decade of the epidemic.
J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2019 Jan-Feb;30(1):20-34. doi: 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000033..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Elderly, Infectious Diseases, Medicare