1
|
Zhang Y, Peña MT, Lal LS, Lin YY, Summers RL, Saurabh C, Swint JM. Assessing Telemental Health Uptake and Associated Health Care Resource Implications among Mississippi Medicaid Enrollees with Major Depression. Telemed J E Health 2024. [PMID: 38934133 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2024.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: Investigate the association between Telemental Health (TMH) uptake and sociodemographic characteristics, and how TMH uptake relates to health care resource utilization and Medicaid expenditures among Mississippi Medicaid enrollees with major depression. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted (2019-2020), comparing those who utilized TMH and those who did not. Results: Among the 21,239 identified enrollees, 806 (3.79%) utilized TMH. The TMH cohort was more likely to be of older age, non-Hispanic White, comprehensive managed care organization enrollees, rural residents, and from areas with a higher area deprivation index, and have higher Charlson comorbidity index scores. The TMH cohort also exhibited higher mental health-related and all-cause outpatient and emergency department utilization, along with higher Medicaid expenditures. Conclusion: As the first study investigating telehealth utilization among Mississippi Medicaid enrollees, this study highlights sociodemographic disparities in telehealth adoption. Addressing barriers hindering telehealth adoption among vulnerable populations and ensuring the availability of quality data are vital for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunxi Zhang
- Department of Data Science, John D. Bower School of Population Health, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
- Center for Telehealth, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Maria T Peña
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lincy S Lal
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yueh-Yun Lin
- Center for Telehealth, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Richard L Summers
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Chandra Saurabh
- Center for Telehealth, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - J Michael Swint
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
- Institute for Clinical Research and Learning Healthcare, John P. and Katherine G. McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang Y, Lal LS, Lin YY, Swint JM, Zhang Y, Summers RL, Jones BF, Chandra S, Ladner ME. Tele-Mental Health Service: Unveiling the Disparity and Impact on Healthcare Access and Expenditures during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mississippi. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:819. [PMID: 39063396 PMCID: PMC11276461 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21070819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, tele-mental health (TMH) was a viable approach for providing accessible mental and behavioral health (MBH) services. This study examines the sociodemographic disparities in TMH utilization and its effects on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and medical expenditures in Mississippi. Utilizing a cohort of 6787 insured adult patients at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and its affiliated sites between January 2020 and June 2023, including 3065 who accessed TMH services, we observed sociodemographic disparities between TMH and non-TMH cohorts. The TMH cohort was more likely to be younger, female, White/Caucasian, using payment methods other than Medicare, Medicaid, or commercial insurers, residing in rural areas, and with higher household income compared to the non-TMH cohort. Adjusting for sociodemographic factors, TMH utilization was associated with a 190% increase in MBH-related outpatient visits, a 17% increase in MBH-related medical expenditures, and a 12% decrease in all-cause medical expenditures (all p < 0.001). Among rural residents, TMH utilization was associated with a 205% increase in MBH-related outpatient visits and a 19% decrease in all-cause medical expenditures (both p < 0.001). This study underscores the importance of addressing sociodemographic disparities in TMH services to promote equitable healthcare access while reducing overall medical expenditures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunxi Zhang
- Department of Data Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- Center for Telehealth, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.-Y.L.); (S.C.)
| | - Lincy S. Lal
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (L.S.L.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Yueh-Yun Lin
- Center for Telehealth, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.-Y.L.); (S.C.)
| | - J. Michael Swint
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (L.S.L.); (J.M.S.)
- John P and Katherine G McGovern Medical School, Institute for Clinical Research and Learning Healthcare, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ying Zhang
- Center for Informatics and Analytics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA;
| | - Richard L. Summers
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA;
| | - Barbara F. Jones
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (B.F.J.); (M.E.L.)
| | - Saurabh Chandra
- Center for Telehealth, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.-Y.L.); (S.C.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Mark E. Ladner
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (B.F.J.); (M.E.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sun EC, Rishel CA, Waljee JF, Brummett CM, Jena AB. Association Between State Limits on Opioid Prescribing and the Incidence of Persistent Postoperative Opioid Use Among Surgical Patients. Ann Surg 2023; 277:e759-e765. [PMID: 35129496 PMCID: PMC9081293 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine whether laws limiting opioid prescribing have been associated with reductions in the incidence of persistent postoperative opioid use. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA In an effort to address the opioid epidemic, 26 states (as of 2018) have passed laws limiting opioid prescribing for acute pain. However, it is unknown whether these laws have achieved their reduced the risk of persistent postoperative opioid use. METHODS We identified 957,639 privately insured patients undergoing one of 10 procedures between January 1, 2004 and September 30, 2018. We then estimated the association between persistent postoperative opioid use, defined as having filled ≥10 prescriptions or ≥120 days supply of opioids during postoperative days 91-365, and whether opioid prescribing limits were in effect on the day of surgery. States were classified as having: no limits, a limit of ≤7 days supply, or a limit of >7 days supply. The regression models adjusted for observable confounders such as patient comorbidities and also utilized a difference-in-differences approach, which relied on variation in state laws over time, to further minimize confounding. RESULTS The adjusted incidence of persistent postoperative opioid use was 3.5% (95%CI 3.3%-3.7%) for patients facing a limit of ≤7 days supply, compared with 3.3% (95%CI 3.3%-3.3%) for patients facing no prescribing limits ( P = 0.13 for difference compared to no prescribing limits) and 3.4%, (95%CI 3.2%-3.6%) for patients facing a limit of >7 days supply ( P = 0.43 for difference compared to no prescribing limits). CONCLUSIONS Laws limiting opioid prescriptions were not associated with subsequent reductions in persistent postoperative opioid use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric C. Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Chris A. Rishel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Jennifer F. Waljee
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Chad M. Brummett
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Anupam B. Jena
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sistani F, Rodriguez de Bittner M, Shaya FT. COVID-19 pandemic and telemental health policy reforms. Curr Med Res Opin 2022; 38:2123-2126. [PMID: 35770512 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2022.2096355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Many patients with mental disorders lack access to care mainly due to provider shortages. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly raised the prevalence of anxiety, depression, substance use disorder and suicidal thoughts among people. Mandated social distancing, and higher incidence of mental disorders increased the demand for Telemental Health (TMH). TMH expands access to care and can be an effective alternative to the costly conventional mental health care. However, there are barriers to the adoption of TMH such as reimbursement challenges, and licensure restrictions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some policies and regulations changed to address the increase in TMH demand. The federal government increased funding for the new telehealth initiatives and more states legalized the interstate practice for psychologists. Medicare waived telehealth co-payments, reimbursed audio-only visits, and required payment parities between virtual and in-person visits. Nevertheless, Medicare maintained in-person visit prerequisite within the six months prior to the first time only for mental health treatments which can act as a hindrance. Additionally, four more states required telehealth coverage, 33 states required Medicaid plans, and 21 states required private insurers to cover TMH services. Ten states mandated payment parity for private insurers, and four states eliminated cost-sharing for telehealth services. Currently, 21 states are implementing payment parity on a permanent basis. During the pandemic, 78% of Mental health providers integrated TMH services into their practice. Despite the decline in use of telehealth for other health conditions after the pandemic peak, TMH use has remained strong representing 36% of outpatient visits. TMH is beneficial to patients in terms of cost and time saving; thus, the beneficiary regulatory changes should be sustained. Further well-designed studies are needed on the cost-effectiveness of telehealth interventions, and policymakers need to collect more data to decide whether and how to keep these changes permanently for TMH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farideh Sistani
- Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner
- Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Fadia T Shaya
- Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sun EC, Rishel CA, Jena AB. Association Between Changes in Postoperative Opioid Utilization and Long-Term Health Care Spending Among Surgical Patients With Chronic Opioid Utilization. Anesth Analg 2022; 134:515-523. [PMID: 35180168 PMCID: PMC8867889 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000005865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing interest in identifying and developing interventions aimed at reducing the risk of increased, long-term opioid use among surgical patients. While understanding how these interventions impact health care spending has important policy implications and may facilitate the widespread adoption of these interventions, the extent to which they may impact health care spending among surgical patients who utilize opioids chronically is unknown. METHODS This study was a retrospective analysis of administrative health care claims data for privately insured patients. We identified 53,847 patients undergoing 1 of 10 procedures between January 1, 2004, and September 30, 2018 (total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, open cholecystectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy, open appendectomy, cesarean delivery, functional endoscopic sinus surgery, transurethral resection of the prostate, or simple mastectomy) who had chronic opioid utilization (≥10 prescriptions or ≥120-day supply in the year before surgery). Patients were classified into 3 groups based on differences in opioid utilization, measured in average daily oral morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), between the first postoperative year and the year before surgery: "stable" (<20% change), "increasing" (≥20% increase), or "decreasing" (≥20% decrease). We then examined the association between these 3 groups and health care spending during the first postoperative year, using a multivariable regression to adjust for observable confounders, such as patient demographics, medical comorbidities, and preoperative health care utilization. RESULTS The average age of the sample was 62.0 (standard deviation [SD] 13.1) years, and there were 35,715 (66.3%) women. Based on the change in average daily MME between the first postoperative year and the year before surgery, 16,961 (31.5%) patients were classified as "stable," 15,463 (28.7%) were classified as "increasing," and 21,423 (39.8%) patients were classified as "decreasing." After adjusting for potential confounders, "increasing" patients had higher health care spending ($37,437) than "stable" patients ($31,061), a difference that was statistically significant ($6377; 95% confidence interval [CI], $5669-$7084; P < .001), while "decreasing" patients had lower health care spending ($29,990), a difference (-$1070) that was also statistically significant (95% CI, -$1679 to -$462; P = .001). These results were generally consistent across an array of subgroup and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with chronic opioid utilization before surgery, subsequent increases in opioid utilization during the first postoperative year were associated with increased health care spending during that timeframe, while subsequent decreases in opioid utilization were associated with decreased health care spending.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric C. Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Chris A. Rishel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Anupam B. Jena
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shah R, Corman S, Shah A, Kebede N, Nwankwo C. Phase-specific and lifetime economic burden of cervical cancer and endometrial cancer in a commercially insured United States population. J Med Econ 2021; 24:1221-1230. [PMID: 34686073 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2021.1996958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AIM To estimate the incremental phase-specific and lifetime economic burden among newly diagnosed cervical and endometrial cancer patients vs. non-cancer controls. METHODS Cervical and endometrial cancer patients newly diagnosed between January 2015 and June 2018 were identified in the Optum Clinformatics DataMart database. The index date was the date of the first diagnosis for cancer cases and the first claim date after 12 months of continuous enrollment for non-cancer controls. Patients were followed until death/loss of enrollment/end of data availability. Per patient per month (PPPM) costs attributable to cancer were calculated for four phases: pre-diagnosis (3 months before diagnosis), initial (6 months post-diagnosis), terminal (6 months pre-death), and continuation (remaining time between initial and terminal phases). Survival data were obtained to determine the monthly proportion of patients in each phase. Total survival adjusted monthly costs were obtained by multiplying the proportion of patients in each phase by the total cost incurred during that month. Phase-specific and lifetime incremental costs of cervical and endometrial cancer were obtained using generalized linear models. RESULTS The analytic cohort included 1,002 cervical cancer patients and 4,005 matched non-cancer controls and 5,003 endometrial cancer patients matched with 19,999 non-cancer controls. Mean adjusted incremental PPPM lifetime costs (95% CI) for cervical cancer and endometrial cancer cases were $5,910 ($5,373-$6,446) and $3,475 ($3,259-$3,691), respectively. Incremental total PPPM phase-specific costs attributable to cervical and endometrial cancer were pre-diagnosis (cervical: $1,057; endometrial: $3,315), initial ($12,084; $8,618), continuation ($2,732; $1,147), and terminal ($2,702; $5,442). Incremental costs were significantly higher for cancer patients vs. non-cancer controls across patient lifetime and all phases of care (except terminal phase costs for cervical cancer). Outpatient costs were the major driver of costs across all post-diagnosis phases. CONCLUSION This study highlights the cost burden associated with cervical/endometrial cancer and cost variation by phases of care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruchit Shah
- Open Health Evidence and Access, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Anuj Shah
- Open Health Evidence and Access, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chiauzzi E, Clayton A, Huh-Yoo J. Videoconferencing-Based Telemental Health: Important Questions for the COVID-19 Era From Clinical and Patient-Centered Perspectives. JMIR Ment Health 2020; 7:e24021. [PMID: 33180739 PMCID: PMC7725495 DOI: 10.2196/24021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the search for digital approaches in mental health treatment, particularly due to patients and clinicians practicing social distancing. This has resulted in the dramatic growth of videoconferencing-based telemental health (V-TMH) services. It is critical for behavioral health providers and those in the mental health field to understand the implications of V-TMH expansion on the stakeholders who use such services, such as patients and clinicians, to provide the service that addresses both patient and clinical needs. Several key questions arise as a result, such as the following: (1) in what ways does V-TMH affect the practice of psychotherapy (ie, clinical needs), (2) to what extent are ethical and patient-centered concerns warranted in terms of V-TMH services (ie, patient needs), and (3) how do factors related to user experience affect treatment dynamics for both the patient and therapist (ie, patient and clinical needs)? We discuss how behavioral health providers can consider the future delivery of mental health care services based on these questions, which pose strong implications for technological innovation, the adaptation of treatments to new technologies, and training professionals in the delivery of V-TMH services and other digital health interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashley Clayton
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jina Huh-Yoo
- Department of Information Science, College of Computing and Informatics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|