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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.
Results
1 to 25 of 34 Research Studies Displayed
Neprash HT, Zink A, Sheridan B
The effect of Medicaid expansion on Medicaid participation, payer mix, and labor supply in primary care.
AHRQ-funded; HS024455.
Citation:
Neprash HT, Zink A, Sheridan B .
The effect of Medicaid expansion on Medicaid participation, payer mix, and labor supply in primary care.
J Health Econ 2021 Dec;80:102541. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102541..
Keywords:
Medicare, Healthcare Utilization, Primary Care, Workforce, Health Insurance
Chhabra KR, Fan Z, Chao GF
The role of commercial health insurance characteristics in bariatric surgery utilization.
The goal of this study was to understand relationships among insurance plan type, out-of-pocket cost sharing, and the utilization of bariatric surgery among commercially insured patients. Over 73,000 commercially insured members of the IBM MarketScan commercial claims database who underwent bariatric surgery from 2014-17 were retroactively reviewed. Findings showed that insurance plan types with higher cost sharing have lower utilization of bariatric surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS025778; HS000053.
Citation:
Chhabra KR, Fan Z, Chao GF .
The role of commercial health insurance characteristics in bariatric surgery utilization.
Ann Surg 2021 Jun;273(6):1150-56. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000003569..
Keywords:
Health Insurance, Obesity, Obesity: Weight Management, Surgery, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization
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:
Cancer, Medicaid, Health Insurance, Uninsured, Access to Care, Policy, Cancer: Cervical Cancer, Prevention, Women, Healthcare Utilization
Geissler K, Ranchoff BL, Cooper MI
Association of insurance status with provision of recommended services during comprehensive postpartum visits.
Investigators examined rates of recommended services during the comprehensive postpartum visits and differences by insurance type. Data was taken from annual National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys. Their findings suggested that receipt of recommended services during comprehensive postpartum visits was less than 50% for most services and was similar across insurance types. These findings underscored the importance of efforts to reconceptualize postpartum care to ensure that women have access to a range of supports to manage their health during this sensitive period.
AHRQ-funded; HS025515.
Citation:
Geissler K, Ranchoff BL, Cooper MI .
Association of insurance status with provision of recommended services during comprehensive postpartum visits.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Nov 2;3(11):e2025095. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.25095..
Keywords:
Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Women, Health Insurance, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization
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
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
Maclean JC, Halpern MT, 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
Kayle M, Valle J, Paulukonis S
Impact of Medicaid expansion on access and healthcare among individuals with sickle cell disease.
The purpose of this study was to examine whether Medicaid expansion in California, increased Medicaid enrollment, increased hydroxyurea prescriptions filled, and decreased acute healthcare utilization in sickle cell disease (SCD). Findings showed that Medicaid expansion did not appear to have improved enrollment or acute healthcare utilization among individuals with SCD in California. Recommendations included future studies exploring whether individuals with SCD transitioned to other insurance plans or became uninsured post-expansion, the underlying reasons for low hydroxyurea utilization, and the lack of effect on hospital admissions despite a modest effect on emergency department visits.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011; HS025297.
Citation:
Kayle M, Valle J, Paulukonis S .
Impact of Medicaid expansion on access and healthcare among individuals with sickle cell disease.
Pediatr Blood Cancer 2020 May;67(5):e28152. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28152..
Keywords:
Sickle Cell Disease, Medicaid, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Medication, Hospitalization, Health Insurance
Melnikow J, Evans E, Xing G
Primary care access to new patient appointments for California Medicaid enrollees: a simulated patient study.
Investigators evaluated variation in the availability of primary care new patient appointments for Medi-Cal (California Medicaid) enrollees in Northern California and its relationship to emergency department (ED) use after Medicaid expansion. Data from the California Health Interview Survey, Medi-Cal enrollment reports, and California hospital discharge records were used. The investigators found that access to primary care in Northern California was limited for new patient Medi-Cal enrollees and varied across counties, despite standard statewide reimbursement rates. Further, counties with more limited access to primary care new patient appointments had higher ED use by Medi-Cal enrollees.
AHRQ-funded; HS022236.
Citation:
Melnikow J, Evans E, Xing G .
Primary care access to new patient appointments for California Medicaid enrollees: a simulated patient study.
Ann Fam Med 2020 May;18(3):210-17. doi: 10.1370/afm.2502..
Keywords:
Primary Care, Access to Care, Medicaid, Health Insurance, Emergency Department, Healthcare Utilization
Cook BL, Flores M, 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
Abdus S
The role of plan choice in health care utilization of high-deductible plan enrollees.
This study examined the role of plan choice in health care utilization of high-deductible plan enrollees. 2011-2016 MEPS Household Component data on nonelderly adults enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance was used. Four types of health plans were examined: high-deductible, consumer-directed, low-deductible, and no-deductible. Among adults with a choice of plans, high-deductible enrollees had lower levels of utilization compared with no-deductible enrollees for all types of services. This might be explained by favorable selection and that the enrollees are probably younger and healthier with the high-deductible plans being lower in cost than other plan types. Among adults without any choice of plans, the differences were not statistically significant.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation:
Abdus S .
The role of plan choice in health care utilization of high-deductible plan enrollees.
Health Serv Res 2020 Feb;55(1):119-27. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13223..
Keywords:
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Health Insurance, Healthcare Utilization
Hong AS, Levin D, Parker L
Trends in diagnostic imaging utilization among Medicare and commercially insured adults from 2003 through 2016.
This study examined trends in use of noninvasive diagnostic imaging (NDI) among commercially insured individuals compared to Medicare enrollees from 2003 through 2016. There was more of an increase among Medicare enrollees than commercially insured patients, but both showed upward trends until the early 2010’s where trends began to be flat or decline. The notable exception was for CT imaging among commercially insured patients aged 45-64 years and Medicare enrollees after 2012.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation:
Hong AS, Levin D, Parker L .
Trends in diagnostic imaging utilization among Medicare and commercially insured adults from 2003 through 2016.
Radiology 2020 Feb;294(2):342-50. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2019191116..
Keywords:
Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Medicare, Imaging, Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance
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
Vila PM, Olsen MA, Piccirillo JF
Rates of sialoendoscopy and sialoadenectomy in 5,111 adults with private insurance.
The purpose of this study was to determine frequencies and trends in sialoendoscopy and sialoadenectomy for the treatment of obstructive, non-neoplastic submandibular salivary gland disease. Researchers conducted an epidemiologic study of insurance claims from 2006 to 2013 in a large, private insurance claims database; 5,111 adults with sialadenitis who had a sialoendoscopy or submandibular gland excision were included. The results of this study indicate that the use of sialoendoscopy procedures has increased over time, while the overall rate of sialoadenectomy has decreased, but the authors conclude that both procedures are safe for the treatment of patients with sialadenitis and sialolithiasis.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation:
Vila PM, Olsen MA, Piccirillo JF .
Rates of sialoendoscopy and sialoadenectomy in 5,111 adults with private insurance.
Laryngoscope 2019 Dec 16;129(3):602-06. doi: 10.1002/lary.27243..
Keywords:
Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Surgery
Holderness H, Angier H, Huguet N
Where do Oregon Medicaid Enrollees seek outpatient care post-Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion?
The purpose of this study was to understand where Oregon Medicaid beneficiaries sought care after the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion (emergency department, primary care, or specialist) and the interaction between primary care establishment and outpatient care utilization. Results showed that most newly and returning-insured Medicaid enrollees sought primary care rather than emergency department services and most became established with primary care, suggesting that both insurance and primary care continuity play a role in where patients seek health care services.
AHRQ-funded; HS024270.
Citation:
Holderness H, Angier H, Huguet N .
Where do Oregon Medicaid Enrollees seek outpatient care post-Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion?
Med Care 2019 Oct;57(10):788-94. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001189..
Keywords:
Access to Care, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Health Insurance, Healthcare Utilization, Medicaid, Policy
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
Biener AI, Zuvekas SH
Do racial and ethnic disparities in health care use vary with health?
Researchers used Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2010-2014 to evaluate health care use between black-white and Hispanic-white adults. They found that there was the widest disparity in health care use in adults in excellent health between Hispanics and whites but the opposite was true for blacks and whites. Differences are attributed to health insurance coverage and access to health care overall.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation:
Biener AI, Zuvekas SH .
Do racial and ethnic disparities in health care use vary with health?
Health Serv Res 2019 Feb;54(1):64-74. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13087..
Keywords:
Access to Care, Disparities, Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Health Status, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Racial / Ethnic Minorities
Ghosh A, Simon K, Sommers BD
The effect of health insurance on prescription drug use among low-income adults: evidence from recent Medicaid expansions.
This study examined how subsidized coverage affected prescription drug utilization among low-income non-elderly adults. Among other results, the investigators found that within the first 15 months of new health insurance availability, aggregate Medicaid-paid prescriptions increased 19 percent, amounting to nearly 9 new prescriptions a year, per new enrollee. They also found no evidence of reductions in uninsured or privately-insured prescriptions, suggesting that new coverage did not simply substitute for other payment sources.
AHRQ-funded; HS021291.
Citation:
Ghosh A, Simon K, Sommers BD .
The effect of health insurance on prescription drug use among low-income adults: evidence from recent Medicaid expansions.
J Health Econ 2019 Jan;63:64-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2018.11.002..
Keywords:
Health Insurance, Healthcare Utilization, Low-Income, Medicaid, Medication
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
Adrion ER, Kocher KE, Nallamothu BK
Rising use of observation care among the commercially insured may lead to total and out-of-pocket cost savings.
Using multipayer commercial claims for the period 2009-13, the investigators evaluated utilization and spending among patients admitted for six conditions that are commonly managed with either observation care or short-stay hospitalizations. In their study period, the use of observation care increased relative to that of short-stay hospitalizations. In addition, total and out-of-pocket spending were substantially lower for observation care, though both grew rapidly--and at rates much higher than spending in the inpatient setting--over the study period.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053.
Citation:
Adrion ER, Kocher KE, Nallamothu BK .
Rising use of observation care among the commercially insured may lead to total and out-of-pocket cost savings.
Health Aff 2017 Dec;36(12):2102-09. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2017.0774..
Keywords:
Health Insurance, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Delivery, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitalization, Hospitals, Medicare
Schoenbaum M, Sutherland JM, Chappel A
Twelve-month health care use and mortality in commercially insured young people with incident psychosis in the United States.
This study assessed 12-month mortality and patterns of outpatient and inpatient treatment among young people experiencing an incident episode of psychosis in the United States. The hugely elevated mortality observed, when compared to the general population, underscores that young people experiencing psychosis warrant intensive clinical attention-yet the researchers found low rates of pharmacotherapy and limited use of psychosocial treatment.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation:
Schoenbaum M, Sutherland JM, Chappel A .
Twelve-month health care use and mortality in commercially insured young people with incident psychosis in the United States.
Schizophr Bull 2017 Oct;43(6):1262-72. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbx009.
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.
Keywords:
Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Health Services Research (HSR), Behavioral Health, Young Adults
Friedman S, Xu H, Harwood JM
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act evaluation study: impact on specialty behavioral healthcare utilization and spending among enrollees with substance use disorders.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) was associated with increased behavioral health expenditures and utilization among a population with substance use disorder (SUD) diagnoses. The investigators found that MHPAEA was associated with modest increases in total, plan, and patient out-of-pocket spending and outpatient and inpatient utilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS024866.
Citation:
Friedman S, Xu H, Harwood JM .
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act evaluation study: impact on specialty behavioral healthcare utilization and spending among enrollees with substance use disorders.
J Subst Abuse Treat 2017 Sep;80:67-78. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2017.06.006..
Keywords:
Behavioral Health, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Policy, Health Services Research (HSR), Substance Abuse
Sommers BD, Blendon RJ, Orav EJ
Changes in utilization and health among low-income adults after Medicaid expansion or expanded private insurance.
The researchers assessed changes in access to care, utilization, and self-reported health among low-income adults in 3 states taking alternative approaches to the ACA. They concluded that in the second year of expansion, Kentucky's Medicaid program and Arkansas's private option were associated with significant increases in outpatient utilization, preventive care, and improved health care quality; reductions in emergency department use; and improved self-reported health.
AHRQ-funded; HS021291.
Citation:
Sommers BD, Blendon RJ, Orav EJ .
Changes in utilization and health among low-income adults after Medicaid expansion or expanded private insurance.
JAMA Intern Med 2016 Oct;176(10):1501-09. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.4419.
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Keywords:
Healthcare Utilization, Low-Income, Health Insurance, Medicaid, Access to Care
Bailey SR, Hoopes MJ, Marino M
Effect of gaining insurance coverage on smoking cessation in community health centers: a cohort study.
This study aimed to determine if uninsured community health center (CHC) patients who gain Medicaid coverage experience greater primary care utilization, receive more cessation medication orders, and achieve higher quit rates, compared to continuously uninsured smokers. It found that newly insured patients had increased odds of quit smoking status over 24 months of follow-up than those who remained uninsured.
AHRQ-funded; HS021522; HS024270.
Citation:
Bailey SR, Hoopes MJ, Marino M .
Effect of gaining insurance coverage on smoking cessation in community health centers: a cohort study.
J Gen Intern Med 2016 Oct;31(10):1198-205. doi: 10.1007/s11606-016-3781-4.
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Keywords:
Tobacco Use, Health Insurance, Community-Based Practice, Medicaid, Healthcare Utilization
