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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
1 to 9 of 9 Research Studies DisplayedFung V, Yang Z, Cook BL
Changes in insurance coverage continuity after Affordable Care Act expansion of Medicaid eligibility for young adults with low income in Massachusetts.
The purpose of this cohort study was to describe changes in insurance coverage continuity for Medicaid enrollees who turned age 19 years before and after eligibility policy changes from the 2014 Medicaid expansion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Between November 1, 2020, and May 12, 2022 the researchers analyzed data from the Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Database (2012 to 2016) to compare coverage for Medicaid beneficiaries turning age 19 years before and after Medicaid expansion. A total of 41,247 young adults turning age 18 to 19 years in the baseline year were included in the study. The researchers found that enrollees who turned age 19 after vs before the Medicaid eligibility expansion were less likely to have 3 or more uninsured months at18 to 19 years of age and 19 to 20 years of age and more likely to have continuous insurance coverage for 12 or more months. Differences in the likelihood of having 3 or more uninsured months decreased at 20 to 21 years of age, when both groups had access to Medicaid. The study concluded that among Medicaid enrollees entering adulthood, the expansion of Medicaid to lower-income adults through the 2014 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was associated with a decreased possibility of becoming uninsured.
AHRQ-funded; HS024725.
Citation: Fung V, Yang Z, Cook BL .
Changes in insurance coverage continuity after Affordable Care Act expansion of Medicaid eligibility for young adults with low income in Massachusetts.
JAMA Health Forum 2022 Jul;3(7):e221996. doi: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.1996..
Keywords: Young Adults, Health Insurance, Policy, Medicaid, Access to Care, Low-Income
Lipton BJ, Decker SL, Sommers BD
AHRQ Author: Lipton BJ, Decker SL
The Affordable Care Act appears to have narrowed racial and ethnic disparities in insurance coverage and access to care among young adults.
This study analyzed insurance coverage gains of young adults aged 19 to 25 due to the Affordable Care Act’s 2010 coverage provision and also 2014 Medicaid and Marketplace expansions. There were gains in coverage of 11% for Hispanics, 10.1% for Blacks and 4.6% for Whites.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; HS021291.
Citation: Lipton BJ, Decker SL, Sommers BD .
The Affordable Care Act appears to have narrowed racial and ethnic disparities in insurance coverage and access to care among young adults.
Med Care Res Rev 2019 Feb;76(1):1077558717706575. Epub ahead of print. doi: 10.1177/1077558717706575..
Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Health Insurance, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Young Adults
Wisk LE, Sharma N
Inequalities in young adult health insurance coverage post-federal health reform.
The article investigates disparities in the insurance coverage of young adults before and after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Data from the 2000-2016 National Health Interview Survey was used to compare the effects of the ACA on three groups, aged 13 to 18, 19 to 25, and 26 to 30, with the 19 to 25 group considered as “young adults” for the purposed of this study. Respondents reported their types of health insurance coverage during the last 12 months, their reasons for being uninsured, and sociodemographic information. The article concludes that the ACA significantly impacted insurance coverage for young adults, but disparities remain.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986.
Citation: Wisk LE, Sharma N .
Inequalities in young adult health insurance coverage post-federal health reform.
J Gen Intern Med 2019 Jan;34(1):65-74. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4723-0..
Keywords: Disparities, Health Insurance, Policy, Social Determinants of Health, Young Adults
Wisk LE, Finkelstein JA, Toomey SL
Impact of an individual mandate and other health reforms on dependent coverage for adolescents and young adults
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of state-level dependent coverage expansion (DCE), with and without other state health reforms, on exit from dependent coverage for adolescents and young adults (AYA). The study found that an individual mandate and other reforms may enhance the effect of DCE in preventing loss of coverage among AYA.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063; HS025299.
Citation: Wisk LE, Finkelstein JA, Toomey SL .
Impact of an individual mandate and other health reforms on dependent coverage for adolescents and young adults
Health Serv Res 2018 Jun;53(3):1581-99. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12723..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Health Insurance, Policy, Policy, Young Adults
Chen J, Vargas-Bustamante A, Novak P
Reducing young adults' health care spending through the ACA expansion of dependent coverage.
The researchers estimated health care expenditure trends among young adults ages 19-25 before and after the 2010 implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provision that extended eligibility for dependent private health insurance coverage. They found that increased health insurance enrollment as a consequence of the ACA provision for dependent coverage has successfully reduced spending and catastrophic expenditures, providing financial protections for young adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS022135.
Citation: Chen J, Vargas-Bustamante A, Novak P .
Reducing young adults' health care spending through the ACA expansion of dependent coverage.
Health Serv Res 2017 Oct;52(5):1835-57. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12555.
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Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Health Insurance, Healthcare Costs, Policy, Young Adults
Schoenbaum M, Sutherland JM, Chappel A
AHRQ Author: Sutherland JM
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
Ali MM, Chen J, Mutter R
AHRQ Author: Novak P
The ACA's dependent coverage expansion and out-of-pocket spending by young adults with behavioral health conditions.
The authors analyzed out-of-pocket spending as a share of total health care expenditures for young adults with behavioral health conditions before and after the implementation of the ACA dependent care provision. They found that the extension of health insurance coverage to young adults with behavioral health disorders has provided them with additional financial protection, which can be important given the low incomes and high debt burden that characterize the age group.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Ali MM, Chen J, Mutter R .
The ACA's dependent coverage expansion and out-of-pocket spending by young adults with behavioral health conditions.
Psychiatr Serv 2016 Sep;67(9):977-82. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201500346.
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Keywords: Behavioral Health, Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Young Adults
Hernandez-Boussard T, Burns CS, Wang NE
The Affordable Care Act reduces emergency department use by young adults: evidence from three States.
The authors tested the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on how young adults used ED services. They found that the largest relative decreases were found in women and blacks. This relative decrease in ED use implies a total reduction of more than 60,000 visits from young adults across three states in 2011.
AHRQ-funded; HS018558.
Citation: Hernandez-Boussard T, Burns CS, Wang NE .
The Affordable Care Act reduces emergency department use by young adults: evidence from three States.
Health Aff 2014 Sep;33(9):1648-54. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0103.
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Keywords: Emergency Department, Health Insurance, Policy, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Young Adults
Saloner B, Le Cook B
An ACA provision increased treatment for young adults with possible mental illnesses relative to comparison group.
The researchers examined the impact of the ACA dependent coverage provision on people ages 18-25 with possible mental health or substance use disorders. They found that after implementation of the ACA provision, among people ages 18-25 with possible mental health disorders, mental health treatment increased by 5.3 percentage points relative to a comparison group of similar people ages 26-35. For those using mental health treatment, uninsured visits declined by 12.4 percentage points, and visits paid by private insurance increased by 12.9 percentage points.
AHRQ-funded; HS021486.
Citation: Saloner B, Le Cook B .
An ACA provision increased treatment for young adults with possible mental illnesses relative to comparison group.
Health Aff 2014 Aug;33(8):1425-34. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0214.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Health Insurance, Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse, Young Adults