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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.
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1 to 5 of 5 Research Studies DisplayedPresskreischer R, Steinglass JE, Anderson KE
Eating disorders in the U.S. Medicare population.
This cross-sectional study explored the prevalence, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and health care spending for Medicare enrollees with eating disorders. A representative 20% sample of 2016 Medicare inpatient, outpatient, carrier, and home health fee-for-service claims and Medicare Advantage encounter records was used. The sample included almost 12 million Medicare enrollees of whom 0.15% had an eating disorder diagnosis. A greater proportion of individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder diagnosis were female, under age 65, and dually eligible for Medicaid due to disability or low-income qualification than those without a diagnosis. Individuals with eating disorders had higher rates of comorbid conditions, with the greatest differences in cardiac arrythmias, arthritis, and thyroid conditions. Spending was $29,456 for enrollees with eating disorders compared to $7,418 without.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Presskreischer R, Steinglass JE, Anderson KE .
Eating disorders in the U.S. Medicare population.
Int J Eat Disord 2022 Mar;55(3):362-71. doi: 10.1002/eat.23676..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Medicare, Healthcare Costs
Fung V, Price M, Nierenberg AA
Assessment of behavioral health services use among low-income Medicare beneficiaries after reductions in coinsurance fees.
This study looked at outcomes from reducing behavioral health care Medicare coinsurance from 50% to 20% from 2009 to 2013. The sample of patients looked at included some diagnosed with SMI (serious mental illness) including schizophrenia, bipolar, or major depressive disorder). Data analysis was performed on 793,275 beneficiaries with SMI in 2008 and compared them with costs in 2013. The mean adjusted out-of-pocket costs for outpatient behavioral care decreased from $132 annually to $64, but the number of visits only increased slightly. No association was found between cost-sharing reductions and changes in behavioral health care visits.
AHRQ-funded; HS024725.
Citation: Fung V, Price M, Nierenberg AA .
Assessment of behavioral health services use among low-income Medicare beneficiaries after reductions in coinsurance fees.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Oct;3(10):e2019854. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.19854..
Keywords: Medicare, Health Insurance, Depression, Behavioral Health, Low-Income, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization
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
Zhang Y, Talisa V, Baik SH
Part D plan switching among Medicare beneficiaries with schizophrenia.
The authors examined Medicare plan switching and factors affecting switching among beneficiaries with schizophrenia. They found several factors that affected the likelihood of switching, including age, geographic region, and proportion of prescriptions filled by beneficiaries who were covered or whose prescriptions required utilization review in the original plan. They concluded that plan switching among Medicare beneficiaries with schizophrenia was relatively infrequent but may be driven by the need for better drug coverage and less restrictive utilization policies.
AHRQ-funded; HS018657.
Citation: Zhang Y, Talisa V, Baik SH .
Part D plan switching among Medicare beneficiaries with schizophrenia.
Psychiatr Serv 2015 Oct;66(10):1105-8. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201400476.
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Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Medicare, Behavioral Health
Zhang Y, Baik SH, Newhouse JP
Use of intelligent assignment to Medicare Part D plans for people with schizophrenia could produce substantial savings.
The investigators simulated Medicare Part D savings from replacing random assignment with an "intelligent assignment" algorithm that would assign beneficiaries to the least expensive plan in 2010 based on their drug usage in the previous year. They found that intelligent assignment could have saved about $150 million for Medicare and beneficiaries with schizophrenia combined in 2010.
AHRQ-funded; HS018657.
Citation: Zhang Y, Baik SH, Newhouse JP .
Use of intelligent assignment to Medicare Part D plans for people with schizophrenia could produce substantial savings.
Health Aff 2015 Mar;34(3):455-60. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.1227.
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Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Medicare, Medication, Behavioral Health