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
AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Access to Care (10)
- Behavioral Health (3)
- Cancer (2)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (2)
- Cancer: Colorectal Cancer (1)
- Cancer: Lung Cancer (1)
- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) (1)
- Children/Adolescents (3)
- Dental and Oral Health (1)
- Healthcare Costs (7)
- Healthcare Utilization (5)
- (-) Health Insurance (19)
- Health Services Research (HSR) (1)
- Hospitals (1)
- Low-Income (1)
- Maternal Care (1)
- Medicaid (10)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (4)
- Medicare (4)
- Medication (3)
- Payment (1)
- (-) Policy (19)
- Pregnancy (2)
- Sexual Health (1)
- Substance Abuse (1)
- Surgery (1)
- Tobacco Use (1)
- Tobacco Use: Smoking Cessation (1)
- Uninsured (4)
- Women (3)
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 19 of 19 Research Studies DisplayedFriedman S, Xu H, Azocar F
Carve-out plan financial requirements associated with national behavioral health parity.
The authors examined changes in carve-out financial requirements following the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). They found that the MHPAEA was associated with increased generosity in most observed financial requirements, but increased use of deductibles may have reduced generosity for some patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS024866.
Citation: Friedman S, Xu H, Azocar F .
Carve-out plan financial requirements associated with national behavioral health parity.
Health Serv Res 2020 Dec;55(6):924-31. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13542..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance, Access to Care, Policy
Everson J, Adler-Milstein J, Ryan AM
Hospitals strengthened relationships with close partners after joining accountable care organizations.
This study tested the hypothesis that hospitals participating in Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) try to influence where their patients receive care in order to achieve quality and cost containment goals. The authors studied hospitals participating in ACO from 2010 to 2014. ACO hospitals shared patients 4.4% more than non-ACO hospitals. This occurred disproportionately at hospitals that already shared a high proportion of their patients prior to participation and among hospitals in ACOs characterized as physician-hospital collaborations.
AHRQ-funded; HS024525; HS024728.
Citation: Everson J, Adler-Milstein J, Ryan AM .
Hospitals strengthened relationships with close partners after joining accountable care organizations.
Med Care Res Rev 2020 Dec;77(6):549-58. doi: 10.1177/1077558718818336..
Keywords: Hospitals, Medicare, Policy, Health Insurance
Larson AE, Hoopes M, Angier H
Private/marketplace insurance in community health centers 5 years post-affordable care act in Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states.
This study compared differences in private/marketplace insurance in community health centers (CHCs) 5 years post-Affordable Care Act (ACA) in Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states. Electronic health record data from 702,663 patients in clinics across 20 states was used to explore trends in private/market insurance post-expansion and whether CHC patients retain private/marketplace insurance. The authors found that patients in non-expansion state CHCs relied more heavily on private/marketplace insurance than patients in expansive states and had increased visits from 2014 through 2018. There was a more pronounced seasonal variation in private/marketplace-insured visits too. A greater percentage of those who in non-expansion states did not retain private/marketplace insurance become uninsured, while those in expansion states gained other types of health insurance.
AHRQ-funded; HS024270.
Citation: Larson AE, Hoopes M, Angier H .
Private/marketplace insurance in community health centers 5 years post-affordable care act in Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states.
Prev Med 2020 Dec;141:106271. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106271..
Keywords: Medicaid, Health Insurance, Access to Care, Policy
Hudson JL, Moriya AS
AHRQ Author: Hudson JL
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
Dalton VK, Moniz MH, Bailey MJ
Trends in birth rates after elimination of cost sharing for contraception by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Researchers evaluated changes in birth rates by income level among commercially insured women before (2008-2013) and after (2014-2018) the elimination of cost sharing for contraception under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The analytic sample included over 4.5 million women enrolled in 47,721 health plans. In this cross-sectional study, the researchers found that the elimination of cost sharing for contraception under the ACA was associated with improvements in contraceptive method prescription fills and a decrease in births among commercially insured women. Women with low income had more precipitous decreases than women with higher income, suggesting that enhanced access to contraception may address well-documented income-related disparities in unintended birth rates.
AHRQ-funded; HS025465; HS023784.
Citation: Dalton VK, Moniz MH, Bailey MJ .
Trends in birth rates after elimination of cost sharing for contraception by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Nov 2;3(11):e2024398. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.24398..
Keywords: Policy, Health Insurance, Women, Healthcare Costs, Pregnancy, Sexual Health
Wisk LE, Peltz A, Galbraith AA
Changes in health care-related financial burden for US families with children associated with the Affordable Care Act.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) sought to improve access and affordability of health insurance. Although most ACA policies targeted childless adults, the extent to which these policies also impacted families with children remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in health care-related financial burden for US families with children before and after the ACA was implemented based on income eligibility for ACA policies.
AHRQ-funded; HS024700.
Citation: Wisk LE, Peltz A, Galbraith AA .
Changes in health care-related financial burden for US families with children associated with the Affordable Care Act.
JAMA Pediatr 2020 Nov;174(11):1032-40. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.3973..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance, Policy, Access to Care
Khouja T, Burgette JM, Donohue JM
Association between Medicaid expansion, dental coverage policies for adults, and children's receipt of preventive dental services.
Researchers examined whether low-income children's use of preventive dental services is linked to variation in state Medicaid policies that affect parents' access to dental care in Medicaid. Using MEPS data along with Area Health Resources File and Medicaid adult dental coverage policies, they found no change in children's receipt of preventive dental care associated with Medicaid expansions in states that covered vs did not cover preventive dental services for adults. They concluded that factors other than parental access to dental benefits through Medicaid may be more salient determinants of preventive dental care use among low-income children.
AHRQ-funded; HS026727.
Citation: Khouja T, Burgette JM, Donohue JM .
Association between Medicaid expansion, dental coverage policies for adults, and children's receipt of preventive dental services.
Health Serv Res 2020 Oct;55(5):642-50. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13324..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Children/Adolescents, Dental and Oral Health, Medicaid, Health Insurance, Low-Income, Access to Care, Policy
Roberts ET, Nimgaonkar A, Aarons J
New evidence of state variation in Medicaid payment policies for dual Medicare-Medicaid enrollees.
The authors developed the first longitudinal database of state Medicaid policies for paying the cost sharing in Medicare Part B for services provided to dual Medicare-Medicaid enrollees (duals), and an index summarizing the impact of these policies on payments for physician office services. Information from 2004-2018 was consolidated from online Medicaid policy documents, state laws, and policy data reported to them by state Medicaid programs. The database showed that in 2018 42 states had policies to limit Medicaid payments of Medicare cost sharing when Medicaid’s fee schedule was lower than Medicare’s. This was an increase from 36 such states in 2004. In most states, combined Medicare and Medicare payments for evaluation and management services provided to duals averaged 78% of the Medicare allowed amount for these services.
AHRQ-funded; HS026727.
Citation: Roberts ET, Nimgaonkar A, Aarons J .
New evidence of state variation in Medicaid payment policies for dual Medicare-Medicaid enrollees.
Health Serv Res 2020 Oct;55(5):701-09. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13545..
Keywords: Medicaid, Medicare, Payment, Policy, Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance
Zuvekas SH, McClellan CB, Ali MM
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas SH, McClellan CB
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
Maclean JC, Halpern MT, Hill SC
AHRQ Author: Hill SC
The effect of Medicaid expansion on prescriptions for breast cancer hormonal therapy medications.
The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion on prescriptions for effective breast cancer hormonal therapies (tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors) among Medicaid enrollees. Data from the Medicaid State Drug Utilization Database was used. Findings showed that Medicaid expansion may have had a meaningful impact on the ability of lower-income women to access effective hormonal therapies used to treat breast cancer.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Maclean JC, Halpern MT, Hill SC .
The effect of Medicaid expansion on prescriptions for breast cancer hormonal therapy medications.
Health Serv Res 2020 Jun;55(3):399-410. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13289..
Keywords: Medicaid, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Medication, Policy, Women, Healthcare Utilization, Access to Care, Health Insurance
Bailey SR, Marino M, Ezekiel-Herrera D
Tobacco cessation in Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion states versus non-expansion states.
This study examined whether states that expanded Medicaid eligibility under the ACA had increased smoking quit rates, tobacco cessation medication orders, and greater health care utilization compared to patients in non-expansion states. The researchers used electronic health record (EHR) data from 219 community health centers (CHCs) in 10 states that expanded Medicaid as of January 2014. They identified patients aged 19-64 with tobacco use status in their records within six months prior to ACA Medicaid expansion and 1 or more visits. They found that patients in expansion states had increased adjusted odds of quitting, having a medication ordered and having follow-up visits compared to patients in non-expansion states.
AHRQ-funded; HS024270.
Citation: Bailey SR, Marino M, Ezekiel-Herrera D .
Tobacco cessation in Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion states versus non-expansion states.
Nicotine Tob Res 2020 Jun;22(6):1016-22. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntz087..
Keywords: Tobacco Use: Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Use, Substance Abuse, Medication, Medicaid, Policy, Healthcare Utilization, Access to Care, Health Insurance
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
Tseng CW, Masuda C, Chen R
Impact of higher insulin prices on out-of-pocket costs in Medicare Part D.
In this study, the investigators examined how patients’ out-of-pocket costs for insulin would have dropped from 2014 to 2019 due to Part D policy changes and whether higher insulin prices offset these potential savings. The authors concluded that efforts to reduce patients’
out-of-pocket cost by closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap were largely negated by higher insulin prices.
out-of-pocket cost by closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap were largely negated by higher insulin prices.
AHRQ-funded; HS024227.
Citation: Tseng CW, Masuda C, Chen R .
Impact of higher insulin prices on out-of-pocket costs in Medicare Part D.
Diabetes Care 2020 Apr;43(4):e50-e51. doi: 10.2337/dc19-1294..
Keywords: Medication, Healthcare Costs, Medicare, Health Insurance, Policy
Downing J, Cha P
Same-sex marriage and gains in employer-sponsored insurance for US adults, 2008-2017.
This study’s objective was examine the effects on employer-sponsored insurance of same-sex marriage for US adults from 2008-2017. Data from the American Community Survey was used for over 18 million adult respondents. The authors found a 0.61 percentage point increase in employer-sponsored health insurance coverage for men and women.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Downing J, Cha P .
Same-sex marriage and gains in employer-sponsored insurance for US adults, 2008-2017.
Am J Public Health 2020 Apr;110(4):537-39. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2019.305510..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Policy
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, Access to Care, Uninsured, Health Insurance
Takvorian SU, Oganisian A, Mamtani R
Association of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act with insurance status, cancer stage, and timely treatment among patients with breast, colon, and lung cancer.
The effect of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion on cancer care delivery and outcomes is unknown. Patients with cancer are a high-risk group for whom treatment delays are particularly detrimental. The objective of this study was to examine the association between Medicaid expansion and changes in insurance status, stage at diagnosis, and timely treatment among patients with incident breast, colon, and non-small cell lung cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS026116.
Citation: Takvorian SU, Oganisian A, Mamtani R .
Association of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act with insurance status, cancer stage, and timely treatment among patients with breast, colon, and lung cancer.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Feb 5;3(2):e1921653. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.21653.
.
.
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer: Lung Cancer, Cancer, Health Insurance, Medicaid, Policy, Health Services Research (HSR)
Chhabra KR, Fan Z, Chao GF
Impact of statewide essential health benefits on utilization of bariatric surgery.
This study looked at the utilization of bariatric surgery after it was included in the Affordable Care Act’s essential health benefits program. The program required individual and small-group insurance plans in 23 states to cover the surgery. Investigators used IBM MarketScan commercial claims data from 2009 to 2016. While bariatric surgery utilization increased in all states after ACA implementation, it was no greater in states with a bariatric surgery essential health benefit. Reasons why can be explored in further studies.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053; HS025778.
Citation: Chhabra KR, Fan Z, Chao GF .
Impact of statewide essential health benefits on utilization of bariatric surgery.
Obes Surg 2020 Jan;30(1):374-77. doi: 10.1007/s11695-019-04092-z..
Keywords: Surgery, Healthcare Utilization, Policy, Health Insurance
Moniz MH, Fendrick AM, Kolenic GE
Out-of-pocket spending for maternity care among women with employer-based insurance, 2008-15.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employer-based insurance plans to cover maternity services, but plans are allowed to impose cost sharing such as copayments and deductibles for these services. This study aimed to evaluate trends in cost sharing for maternity care among working women in employer-based plans, before and after the ACA. The investigators found that between 2008 and 2015, average out-of-pocket spending for maternity care rose among women with employer-based insurance. This increase was largely driven by increased spending among women with deductibles.
AHRQ-funded; HS025465; HS023784.
Citation: Moniz MH, Fendrick AM, Kolenic GE .
Out-of-pocket spending for maternity care among women with employer-based insurance, 2008-15.
Health Aff 2020 Jan;39(1):18-23. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00296..
Keywords: Pregnancy, Women, Maternal Care, Health Insurance, Healthcare Costs, Policy
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