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Qian Z, Chen X, Pucheril D, Al Khatib K, Lucas M, Nguyen DD, McNabb-Baltar J, Lipsitz SR, Melnitchouk N, Cole AP, Trinh QD. Long-Term Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Colorectal Cancer Screening in Its Targeted Population. Dig Dis Sci 2023; 68:1780-1790. [PMID: 36600118 PMCID: PMC9812352 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-022-07797-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Colorectal cancer screening continuously decreased its mortality and incidence. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act extended Medicaid eligibility to low-income and childless adults. Some states elected to adopt Medicaid at different times while others chose not to. Past studies on the effects of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening showed equivocal results based on short-term data following expansion. AIMS To examine the long-term impact of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening among its targeted population at its decade mark. METHODS Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data were extracted for childless adults below 138% federal poverty level in states with different Medicaid expansion statuses from 2012 to 2020. States were stratified into very early expansion states, early expansion states, late expansion states, and non-expansion states. Colorectal cancer screening prevalence was determined for eligible respondents. Difference-in-differences analyses were used to examine the effect of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening in states with different expansion statuses. RESULTS Colorectal cancer screening prevalence in very early, early, late, and non-expansion states all increased during the study period (40.45% vs. 48.14%, 47.52% vs 61.06%, 46.06% vs 58.92%, and 43.44% vs 56.70%). Difference-in-differences analysis showed significantly increased CRC screening prevalence in very early expansion states during 2016 compared to non-expansion states (Crude difference-in-differences + 16.45%, p = 0.02, Adjusted difference-in-differences + 15.9%, p = 0.03). No statistical significance was observed among other years and groups. CONCLUSIONS Colorectal cancer screening increased between 2012 and 2020 in all states regardless of expansion status. However, Medicaid expansion is not associated with long-term increased colorectal cancer screening prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyu Qian
- Division of Urological Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Daniel Pucheril
- Department of Surgery, Booshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH USA
| | - Khalid Al Khatib
- Division of Urological Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Mayra Lucas
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - David-Dan Nguyen
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Julia McNabb-Baltar
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Stuart R. Lipsitz
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Nelya Melnitchouk
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,Division of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Alexander P. Cole
- Division of Urological Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Quoc-Dien Trinh
- Division of Urological Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
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Impacts of Medicaid Expansion on Stage at Cancer Diagnosis by Patient Insurance Type. Am J Prev Med 2022; 63:915-925. [PMID: 35871117 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act increased access to health care for millions of low-income Americans. However, the longer-term impacts of the policy on cancer outcomes remain unknown. This study examined the impact of Medicaid expansion on early- and late-stage diagnosis for 4 common cancers (breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung) using 4 full years of postpolicy data. METHODS Patients aged 40-64 years diagnosed with breast, cervical, colorectal, or lung cancer from 2010 to 2017 were identified using the National Cancer Database. Difference-in-difference analyses compared changes in early-stage and late-stage diagnoses among expansion states with those among nonexpansion states. Subgroup analyses explored potential effect modification by insurance type. Data analysis was performed from June to October 2021. RESULTS The proportion of early stage diagnosis of breast (difference in difference=1.58, 95% CI=0.89, 2.27), cervical (difference in difference=3.20; 95% CI=0.44, 5.95), colorectal (difference in difference=1.98; 95% CI=1.18, 2.78), and lung (difference in difference=1.74; 95% CI=0.98, 2.50) cancers increased more in expansion states than in nonexpansion states, whereas late-stage diagnosis of colorectal (difference in difference= -2.12; 95% CI= -2.98, -1.27) and lung (difference in difference= -1.87; 95% CI= -2.89, -0.84) cancers decreased more in expansion states following implementation of the Affordable Care Act. In subgroup analyses, difference-in-difference estimates for all sites and stages (except late-stage cervical cancer) were significant and larger in magnitude among Medicaid-insured than among privately insured patients. CONCLUSIONS Study results highlight the positive impacts of Medicaid expansion on earlier diagnosis of several cancers for which screening and early detection exist, and subgroup analyses revealed greater positive effects among Medicaid-insured patients most targeted by the policy.
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Fendrick AM, Lieberman D, Vahdat V, Chen JV, Ozbay AB, Limburg PJ. Cost-Effectiveness of Waiving Coinsurance for Follow-Up Colonoscopy after a Positive Stool-Based Colorectal Screening Test in a Medicare Population. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2022; 15:653-660. [PMID: 35768200 PMCID: PMC9530644 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-22-0153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Commercial insurance covers a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive colorectal cancer-screening test with no patient cost-sharing. Instituting a similar policy for Medicare beneficiaries may increase screening adherence and improve outcomes. The cost-effectiveness of stool-based colorectal cancer screening was compared across adherence scenarios that assumed Medicare coinsurance status quo (20% for follow-up colonoscopy) or waived coinsurance. The CRC-AIM model simulated previously unscreened eligible Medicare beneficiaries undergoing stool-based colorectal cancer screening at age 65 for 10 years. Medicare costs, colorectal cancer cases, colorectal cancer-related deaths, life-years gained (LYG), and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) were estimated versus no screening. Scenario 1 (S1) assumed 20% coinsurance for follow-up colonoscopy. Scenario 2 (S2) assumed waived coinsurance without adherence changes. Scenarios 3-7 (S3-S7) assumed that waiving coinsurance increased real-world stool-based screening and/or follow-up colonoscopy adherence by 5% or 10%. Sensitivity analyses assumed 1%-4% increased adherence. Cost-effectiveness threshold was ≤$100,000/QALY. Waiving coinsurance without adherence changes (S2) did not affect outcomes versus S1. S3-S7 versus S1 over 10 years estimated up to 3.6 fewer colorectal cancer cases/1,000 individuals, up to 2.1 fewer colorectal cancer deaths, up to 20.7 more LYG, and had comparable total costs per-patient (≤$6,478 vs. $6,449, respectively) as reduced colorectal cancer medical costs offset increased screening and colonoscopy costs. In sensitivity analyses, any increase in adherence after waiving coinsurance was cost-effective and increased LYG. In simulated Medicare beneficiaries, waiving coinsurance for follow-up colonoscopy after a positive stool-based test improved outcomes and was cost-effective when assumed to modestly increase colorectal cancer screening and/or follow-up colonoscopy adherence. PREVENTION RELEVANCE Follow-up colonoscopy after a positive stool-based test is necessary to complete the colorectal cancer-screening process. This analysis demonstrated that in a simulated Medicare population, waiving coinsurance for a follow-up colonoscopy improved estimated outcomes and was cost-effective when it was assumed that waiving the coinsurance modestly increased screening adherence. See related Spotlight, p. 641.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Mark Fendrick
- Division of General Medicine, Departments of Internal Medicine and Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Corresponding Author: A. Mark Fendrick, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Building 16/4th floor, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. Phone: 734-647-9688; Fax: 734-936-8944;
| | - David Lieberman
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | | | | | | | - Paul J. Limburg
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Bitler MP, Carpenter CS, Horn D. Effects of the Colorectal Cancer Control Program. HEALTH ECONOMICS 2021; 30:2667-2685. [PMID: 34342362 PMCID: PMC8497428 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4397] [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: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Although colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is highly effective, screening rates lag far below recommended levels, particularly for low-income people. The Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) funded $100 million in competitively awarded grants to 25 states from 2009-2015 to increase CRC screening rates among low-income, uninsured populations, in part by directly providing and paying for screening services. Using data from the 2001-2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and a difference-in-differences strategy, we find no effects of CRCCP on the use of relatively cheap fecal occult blood tests (FOBT). We do, however, find that the CRCCP significantly increased the likelihood that uninsured 50-64-year-olds report ever having a relatively expensive endoscopic CRC screening (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) by 2.9 percentage points, or 10.7%. These effects are larger for women, minorities, and individuals who did not undertake other types of preventive care. We do not find that the CRCCP led to significant changes in CRC cancer detection. Our results indicate that the CRCCP was effective at increasing CRC screening rates among the most vulnerable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Danea Horn
- Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Davis
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Mehta SJ, Reitz C, Niewood T, Volpp KG, Asch DA. Effect of Behavioral Economic Incentives for Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Randomized Trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 19:1635-1641.e1. [PMID: 32623005 PMCID: PMC7775888 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.06.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Financial incentives might increase participation in prevention such as screening colonoscopy. We studied whether incentives informed by behavioral economics increase participation in risk assessment for colorectal cancer (CRC) and completion of colonoscopy for eligible adults. METHODS Employees of a large academic health system (50-64 y old; n = 1977) were randomly assigned to groups that underwent risk assessment for CRC screening and direct access colonoscopy scheduling (control), or risk assessment, direct access colonoscopy scheduling, a $10 loss-framed incentive to complete risk assessment, and a $25 unconditional incentive for colonoscopy completion (incentive). The primary outcome was the percentage of participants who completed screening colonoscopy within 3 months of initial outreach. Secondary outcomes included the percentage of participants who scheduled colonoscopy and the percentage who completed the risk assessment. RESULTS At 3 months, risk assessment was completed by 19.5% of participants in the control group (95% CI, 17.0-21.9%) and 31.9% of participants in the incentive group (95% CI, 29.0-34.8%) (P < .001). At 3 months, 0.7% of controls had completed a colonoscopy (95% CI, .2%-1.2%) compared with 1.2% of subjects in the incentive group (95% CI, .5%-1.9%) (P = .25). CONCLUSIONS In a randomized trial of participants who underwent risk assessment for CRC with vs without financial incentive, the financial incentive increased CRC risk assessment completion but did not result in a greater completion of screening colonoscopy. Clinicaltrials.gov no: NCT03068052.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivan J. Mehta
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania,Center for Health Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania,Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Catherine Reitz
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania,Center for Health Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania,Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Tess Niewood
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Kevin G. Volpp
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania,Center for Health Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania,Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania,Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Philadelphia VA Medical Center
| | - David A. Asch
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania,Center for Health Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania,Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania,Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Philadelphia VA Medical Center
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Li Y, Toseef MU, Jensen GA, Ortiz K, González HM, Tarraf W. Gains in insurance coverage following the affordable care act and change in preventive services use among non-elderly US immigrants. Prev Med 2021; 148:106546. [PMID: 33838157 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Immigrants have lower and disproportionate use of preventive care. We use longitudinal panel data to examine how the 2014 full implementation of the ACA mandates affected change in preventive services (PS) use among immigrants that gained insurance. We used data on Foreign-Born (FB) and US-Born (USB) adults, ages 26-64 years, from the 2013/16 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey longitudinal files to examine within-person change in yearly utilization of age/sex specific United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended services. We included five primary care (e.g., influenza immunization), three behavioral (e.g., diet), and seven cancer screening (e.g., mammography) measures. We used generalized estimating equations and difference-in-differences tests to assess the effects of insurance gain on: (1) change in PS utilization, and (2) reduction in utilization disparities between USB and FB adults, adjusting for predisposing, health enabling, and health needs factors. Our results showed that newly-insured FB adults substantially increased their use of all primary care checks, and exercise and diet advice. We also found improvements in use of endoscopies, two modalities of colon cancer screening, and prostate cancer screening, but not in receipt of mammography and clinical breast exams. Newly-insured FB PS use remained lower than use among continuously-insured USB adults, but some of the differences were explained by adjustment to enabling and health needs factors. Briefly, health insurance gains among immigrants translated into substantial improvements in use of recommended PS. Still, notable disparities persist among the newly-insured FB, and more so among the 1 in 5 that remain continuously uninsured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyi Li
- Wayne State University, Institute of Gerontology, USA; Wayne State University, Department of Economics, USA; University of New Mexico, Department of Sociology, USA; University of California San Diego, Department of Neurosciences and Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, USA; Wayne State University, Department of Healthcare Sciences, USA
| | - Mohammad Usama Toseef
- Wayne State University, Institute of Gerontology, USA; Wayne State University, Department of Economics, USA; University of New Mexico, Department of Sociology, USA; University of California San Diego, Department of Neurosciences and Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, USA; Wayne State University, Department of Healthcare Sciences, USA
| | - Gail A Jensen
- Wayne State University, Institute of Gerontology, USA; Wayne State University, Department of Economics, USA; University of New Mexico, Department of Sociology, USA; University of California San Diego, Department of Neurosciences and Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, USA; Wayne State University, Department of Healthcare Sciences, USA
| | - Kasim Ortiz
- Wayne State University, Institute of Gerontology, USA; Wayne State University, Department of Economics, USA; University of New Mexico, Department of Sociology, USA; University of California San Diego, Department of Neurosciences and Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, USA; Wayne State University, Department of Healthcare Sciences, USA
| | - Hector M González
- Wayne State University, Institute of Gerontology, USA; Wayne State University, Department of Economics, USA; University of New Mexico, Department of Sociology, USA; University of California San Diego, Department of Neurosciences and Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, USA; Wayne State University, Department of Healthcare Sciences, USA
| | - Wassim Tarraf
- Wayne State University, Institute of Gerontology, USA; Wayne State University, Department of Economics, USA; University of New Mexico, Department of Sociology, USA; University of California San Diego, Department of Neurosciences and Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, USA; Wayne State University, Department of Healthcare Sciences, USA.
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Norris HC, Richardson HM, Benoit MAC, Shrosbree B, Smith JE, Fendrick AM. Utilization Impact of Cost-Sharing Elimination for Preventive Care Services: A Rapid Review. Med Care Res Rev 2021; 79:175-197. [PMID: 34157906 DOI: 10.1177/10775587211027372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Consumer cost-sharing has been shown to diminish utilization of preventive services. Recent efforts, including provisions within the Affordable Care Act, have sought to increase use of preventive care through elimination of cost-sharing for clinically indicated services. We conducted a rapid review of the literature to determine the impact of cost-share elimination on utilization of preventive services. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL Complete databases as well as in grey literature. A total of 35 articles were included in qualitative synthesis and findings were summarized for three clinical service categories: cancer screenings, contraceptives, and additional services. Impacts of cost-sharing elimination varied depending on clinical service, with a majority of findings showing increases in use. Studies that included socioeconomic status reported that those who were financially vulnerable incurred substantial increases in utilization. Future investigations on additional clinical services are warranted as is research to better elucidate populations who most benefit from cost-sharing elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hope C Norris
- The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Marie-Anais C Benoit
- The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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Modell SM, Allen CG, Ponte A, Marcus G. Cancer genetic testing in marginalized groups during an era of evolving healthcare reform. J Cancer Policy 2021; 28:100275. [PMID: 35559905 PMCID: PMC8224823 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2021.100275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Affordable Care Act and subsequent reforms pose tradeoffs for racial-ethnic, rural, and sex-related groups in the United States experiencing disparities in BRCA1/2 genetic counseling and testing and colorectal cancer screening, calling for policy changes. METHODS A working group of the American Public Health Association Genomics Forum Policy Committee engaged in monthly meetings to examine ongoing literature and identify policy alternatives in the coverage of cancer genetic services for marginalized groups. 589 items were collected; 408 examined. Efforts continued from February 2015 through September 2020. RESULTS African Americans and Latinos have shown 7-8 % drops in uninsured rates since the Exchanges opened. The ACA has increased BRCA1/2 test availability while several disparities remain, including by sex. Rural testing and screening utilization rates have improved. Medicaid expansion and the inclusion of Medicare in the ACA have resulted in mixed improvements in colorectal cancer screening rates in marginalized groups. CONCLUSION Cancer genetic testing and screening to date have only partially benefited from healthcare reforms. Sensitivity to cost concerns and further monitoring of emerging data are needed. A reduction in disparities depends on the availability of private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare to the marginalized. Attention to value-based design and the way cancer benefits are translated into actual testing and screening are crucial. POLICY SUMMARY The findings suggest the need for further benefits-related health agency interpretation of and amendments to the ACA, continued Medicaid and innovative Medicare expansion, and incorporation of cancer services values-based considerations at several levels, aimed at reducing group disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Modell
- Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, M5409 SPH II, 1415 Washington Hts., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States.
| | - Caitlin G Allen
- Behavioral, Social and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States
| | - Amy Ponte
- Genedu Health Solutions, 47 Petigru Dr., Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
| | - Gail Marcus
- Genetics and Newborn Screening Unit, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, C/O CDSA of the Cape Fear, 3311 Burnt Mill Dr., Wilmington, NC, 28403, United States
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Keane C, Regan M, Walsh B. Failure to take-up public healthcare entitlements: Evidence from the Medical Card system in Ireland. Soc Sci Med 2021; 281:114069. [PMID: 34120084 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
While population health and welfare can be improved through the provision of non-cash benefits, such as free healthcare, many welfare improving schemes have low rates of take up amongst those eligible for such a benefit. One interesting example of this is the Medical Card scheme in Ireland. Medical Cards are a non-cash benefit that provide free primary, community, and hospital care, as well as heavily subsidised prescriptions drugs, for those below specific income means-test threshold. However, despite the significant benefits afforded by a Medical Card, many people forego entitlement. While this has been of concern to policymakers, the prevalence of, and reason for, non-take up, have to date not been examined in-depth. Using detailed household demographic, healthcare, income and expenditure data, this paper estimates the Medical Card take-up rate, examines the reasons for non-take, and estimates the additional healthcare cost burden to individuals due to non-take-up. The paper estimates that 31% of eligible individuals do not take up a Medical Card. Private health insurance coverage, receipt of social welfare, employment status and health status are all strongly correlated with take up. Results suggest that of a lack of information about eligibility status and social stigma are key factors driving non take up. The paper estimates that families who forego their entitled Medical Card typically spend an additional €202 annually on healthcare. Furthermore, as a consequence of higher purchase rates of, perhaps unnecessary, private health insurance, families not taking up their entitlement spend an additional €489 per annum on PHI premia. Welfare losses are likely to be even higher if forgoing medical care due to cost results in future negative health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Keane
- Affiliated to the Economic and Social Research Institute and Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Mark Regan
- Affiliated to the Economic and Social Research Institute and Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brendan Walsh
- Affiliated to the Economic and Social Research Institute and Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
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Mohs Surgery for SEER Registry-Captured Melanoma In Situ and Rare Cutaneous Tumors: Comparing National Utilization Patterns Before and After Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (2010) and Appropriate Use Criteria (2012). Dermatol Surg 2021; 46:1021-1029. [PMID: 31929340 DOI: 10.1097/dss.0000000000002316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the appropriate use criteria (AUC) for Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) had the potential to increase utilization rates of MMS for indicated skin cancers, but it is unknown whether this has occurred. OBJECTIVE To determine whether rates of MMS utilization for head and neck melanoma in situ (MIS) and rare cutaneous tumors (RCTs) increased after the implementation of the ACA and AUC publication. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective review using data from the SEER database. Melanoma in situ and RCT tumor cases from before and after the ACA and AUC publication were compared. RESULTS Twenty-four thousand six hundred seventy-eight cases were analyzed. Mohs micrographic surgery utilization for MIS decreased from 13.9% before the ACA to 12.3% after the ACA (odds ratio 0.87; p = .012). There was no significant change in MMS utilization for MIS after publication of the AUC. There was also no significant change in MMS utilization for treatment of RCT after the ACA or AUC publication. Stratification of patients into age groups younger or older than 65 years did not change utilization rates. CONCLUSION Rates of MMS for treatment of MIS and RCT have not increased since the advent of the ACA or AUC. This finding highlights the need for continued efforts to improve access to MMS and to increase education of its utility in treating skin cancer.
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Effects of the Affordable Care Act's enhancement of Medicare benefits on preventive services utilization among older adults in the U.S. Prev Med 2020; 138:106148. [PMID: 32473266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Since 2011, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires the provision of certain recommended clinical preventive services without cost-sharing for individuals in Medicare. We re-visited the effects of the ACA on preventive services utilization under Medicare, using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and examined the ACA's longer-term effects on preventive services utilization among Medicare beneficiaries. We analyzed nationally representative data on non-institutionalized Medicare beneficiaries (n = 27,124) from the 2006-2010 and 2012-2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Preventive services of interest were cholesterol test, blood pressure test, flu shot, endoscopy, blood stool test, clinical breast exam, mammography and prostate exam. We estimated propensity score weighted difference-in-difference (DID) models to test for differences in preventive services utilization based on Medicare insurance status. Nationwide, among beneficiaries with traditional Medicare only, who stood to gain the most from eliminating cost-sharing for preventive services, the percentage of women receiving clinical breast exams rose post-reform (Δ = 8.1%; p < 0.015) as compared to Medicare beneficiaries with supplemental private coverage, while at the same time the percentage receiving other preventive services did not change post-reform (all p > 0.05). Based on this analysis of MEPS data spanning 2006-2016, the ACA's enhancement of Medicare coverage had only modest effects on the percentage of beneficiaries receiving a range of preventive services. Medicare beneficiaries should be better informed of the availability of these services and encouraged by their physicians to avail the no cost-sharing incentive of these reforms.
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de Boer AZ, van de Water W, Bastiaannet E, de Glas NA, Kiderlen M, Portielje JEA, Extermann M. Early stage breast cancer treatment and outcome of older patients treated in an oncogeriatric care and a standard care setting: an international comparison. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2020; 184:519-526. [PMID: 32813120 PMCID: PMC7599178 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-020-05860-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Since older patients with breast cancer are underrepresented in clinical trials, an oncogeriatric approach is advocated to guide treatment decisions. However, the effect on outcomes is unclear. The aim of this study was to compare treatments and outcomes between patients treated in an oncogeriatric and a standard care setting. Methods Patients aged ≥ 70 years with early stage breast cancer were included. The oncogeriatric cohort comprised unselected patients from the Moffitt Cancer Center, and the standard cohort patients from a Dutch population-based cohort. Cox models were used to characterize the influence of care setting on recurrence risk and overall mortality. Results Overall, 268 patients were included in the oncogeriatric and 1932 patients in the standard cohort. Patients in the oncogeriatric cohort were slightly younger, had more comorbidity, and received more adjuvant endocrine therapy and chemotherapy. Oncogeriatric care was associated with a lower risk of recurrence, which remained significant after adjustment for patient and tumour characteristics [hazard ratio (HR) 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44–0.99]. Oncogeriatric care was also associated with a lower overall mortality, which also remained significant after adjustment for patient and tumour characteristics (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.55–0.87). Conclusions Patients treated in the oncogeriatric care setting had a lower risk of recurrence, which may be explained by more systemic treatment. Overall mortality was also lower, but other explanations besides care setting could not be ruled out as the cohorts had different patient profiles. Future studies need to clarify the impact of an oncogeriatric approach on outcomes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10549-020-05860-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Z de Boer
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Location J10-71, Postzone K6-R, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Willemien van de Water
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Location J10-71, Postzone K6-R, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Esther Bastiaannet
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Location J10-71, Postzone K6-R, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nienke A de Glas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mandy Kiderlen
- Department of Radiotherapy, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Martine Extermann
- Department of Senior Adult Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
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13
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White PM, Itzkowitz SH. Barriers Driving Racial Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening in African Americans. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2020; 22:41. [PMID: 32647903 DOI: 10.1007/s11894-020-00776-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Colorectal cancer screening has been shown to decrease mortality from colorectal cancer. Screening disparities continue to exist among ethnic minorities, particularly for African Americans. We herein review the barriers of colorectal cancer screening in this population. RECENT FINDINGS At its foundation are patient barriers, which are further compounded by physician-related barriers and the idiosyncrasies of the healthcare system. Interventions to address the barriers include patient outreach, provider education, and healthcare legislation addressing financial barriers. Recent research has focused on factors predicting intentions to undergo colorectal cancer screening. Underlying all of the barriers is the systemic racism that affects and influences the healthcare system as much as all other institutions and contributes to inequities in the delivery of effective cancer prevention efforts. Perpetual disparities in CRC screening within the African American community are due to multifactorial barriers from the individual patient to provider and healthcare system and societal influences. An awareness of the behavioral and systemic factors that affect African Americans must underpin efforts to reach full equity in delivering CRC screening to this often medically underserved segment of our society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale M White
- The Dr. Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Avenue, Box 1069, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Steven H Itzkowitz
- The Dr. Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Avenue, Box 1069, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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14
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Zhao J, Mao Z, Fedewa SA, Nogueira L, Yabroff KR, Jemal A, Han X. The Affordable Care Act and access to care across the cancer control continuum: A review at 10 years. CA Cancer J Clin 2020; 70:165-181. [PMID: 32202312 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Lack of health insurance coverage is strongly associated with poor cancer outcomes in the United States. The uninsured are less likely to have access to timely and effective cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care than their counterparts with health insurance coverage. On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law, representing the largest change to health care delivery in the United States since the introduction of the Medicare and Medicaid programs in 1965. The primary goals of the ACA are to improve health insurance coverage, the quality of care, and patient outcomes, and to maintain or lower costs by catalyzing changes in the health care delivery system. In this review, we describe the main components of the ACA, including health insurance expansions, coverage reforms, and delivery system reforms, provisions within these components, and their relevance to cancer screening and early detection, care, and outcomes. We then highlight selected, well-designed studies examining the effects of the ACA provisions on coverage, access to cancer care, and disparities throughout the cancer control continuum. Finally, we identify research gaps to inform evaluation of current and emerging health policies related to cancer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Zhao
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ziling Mao
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Stacey A Fedewa
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Leticia Nogueira
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - K Robin Yabroff
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Xuesong Han
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
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15
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Xu MR, Kelly AMB, Kushi LH, Reed ME, Koh HK, Spiegelman D. Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Colorectal Cancer Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Am J Prev Med 2020; 58:596-603. [PMID: 32008799 PMCID: PMC7175922 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act increases healthcare access and includes provisions that directly impact access to and cost of evidence-based colorectal cancer screening. The Affordable Care Act's removal of cost sharing for colorectal cancer screening as well as Medicaid expansion have been hypothesized to increase screening and improve other health outcomes. However, since its passage in 2010, there is little consensus on the Affordable Care Act's impact. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Data from March 2010 to June 2019 were reviewed and 21 relevant studies were identified; 19 studies examined colorectal cancer screening with most finding increased screening rates. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Eleven studies found significant increases, 5 found nonsignificant increases, 3 found nonsignificant decreases, and 1 study found a significant decrease in colorectal cancer screening. Three studies examined the impact on colorectal cancer incidence and stage of diagnosis, where a significant 2.4% increase in early diagnosis was found in one and a nonsignificant increase in incidence in another. However, survival improved after Medicaid expansion. CONCLUSIONS Free preventive colorectal cancer screening and Medicaid expansion because of passage of the Affordable Care Act have been, in general, positively associated with modest improvements in screening rates across the country. Future studies are needed that investigate the longer-term impact of the Affordable Care Act on colorectal cancer morbidity and mortality rates, as screening is only the first step in treatment of cancerous and precancerous lesions, preventing them from progressing. Moreover, more studies examining subpopulations are needed to better assess where gaps in care remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R Xu
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia.
| | - Amanda M B Kelly
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lawrence H Kushi
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Oakland, Oakland, California
| | - Mary E Reed
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Oakland, Oakland, California
| | - Howard K Koh
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Donna Spiegelman
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
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16
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Effects of the Affordable Care Act on the Receipt of Colonoscopies among the Insured Elderly. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17010313. [PMID: 31906426 PMCID: PMC6981636 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17010313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) waived deductibles and eliminated coinsurance for colonoscopies for Medicare beneficiaries beginning in January 1, 2011. This study investigated the effect of the ACA’s directive to remove the financial barriers on the receipt of colonoscopies among the elderly insured, who are predominantly covered by Medicare. Methods: Data from the 2008–2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used to examine the receipt of colonoscopies in two years prior to the implementation of the ACA (2008 and 2010) and three years after the change (2012, 2014, and 2016). Multivariate logistic regressions were estimated to examine the change in colonoscopy use before and after the introduction of the ACA, adjusting for patient characteristics and availability of health care providers in the geographic region. Results: Of 349,899 eligible elderly insured in the age group 65 to 75 years, 236,275 (67.2%) had received a colonoscopy in the previous ten years. The receipt of colonoscopies increased from 63.5% in pre-ACA years to 69.2% in the post-ACA years (p < 0.001). Compared with the pre-ACA period, the odds ratio of colonoscopy uptake in post-ACA years was 1.15 (95% CI = 1.08–1.22). Conclusions: A statistically significant increase in colonoscopy use was observed in the post-ACA years. However, achieving the target coverage rate of 80% will require additional interventions to encourage higher levels of screenings.
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17
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Song LD, Newhouse JP, Garcia‐De‐Albeniz X, Hsu J. Changes in screening colonoscopy following Medicare reimbursement and cost-sharing changes. Health Serv Res 2019; 54:839-850. [PMID: 30941767 PMCID: PMC6606542 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.13150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare existing algorithms for classifying screening vs diagnostic colonoscopies and to quantify the increase in screening colonoscopy rates when Medicare began reimbursement in 2001 and when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) eliminated cost-sharing. DATA SOURCES Twenty percent random sample of fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare claims, 2000-2012. STUDY DESIGN Using recent administrative codes as tarnished gold standards, we examined the sensitivity and specificity of five published algorithms for classifying colonoscopies and calculated annual screening colonoscopy rates. We estimated the change in rates after Medicare began reimbursement and used difference-in-differences analysis to estimate the effects of eliminating cost-sharing by comparing states with and without a mandate to cover screening colonoscopy prior to the ACA. FINDINGS Model-based algorithms have higher sensitivity (0.53-0.99) than expert-based algorithms (0.35-0.39), but lower specificity (0.43-0.65 vs 0.79-0.88). All algorithms detected increases in screening from both Medicare's reimbursement change (range: 24-93/10 000) and the 2011 cost-sharing change (range: 1.1-34/10 000). Difference-in-difference estimates of the ACA's effect varied from 51 to 155 tests per 10 000 depending on the algorithm. CONCLUSIONS Screening colonoscopy rates increased after eliminating cost-sharing in 2011, but the increase's size varied depending on the algorithm used to classify the indication. Improvements are needed in Medicare coding for screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina D. Song
- PhD Program in Health PolicyThe Graduate School of Arts and SciencesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusetts
- Health Policy Research CenterMongan Institute, Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusetts
| | - Joseph P. Newhouse
- Department of Health Care PolicyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusetts
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonMassachusetts
- The John F. Kennedy School of GovernmentHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusetts
- Faculty of Arts and SciencesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusetts
| | - Xabier Garcia‐De‐Albeniz
- Health Policy Research CenterMongan Institute, Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusetts
- Department of EpidemiologyHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonMassachusetts
| | - John Hsu
- Health Policy Research CenterMongan Institute, Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusetts
- Department of Health Care PolicyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusetts
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18
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Huguet N, Angier H, Rdesinski R, Hoopes M, Marino M, Holderness H, DeVoe JE. Cervical and colorectal cancer screening prevalence before and after Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion. Prev Med 2019; 124:91-97. [PMID: 31077723 PMCID: PMC6578572 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Community health centers (CHCs), which serve socioeconomically disadvantaged patients, experienced an increase in insured visits after the 2014 Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage options began. Yet, little is known about how cancer screening rates changed post-ACA. Therefore, this study assessed changes in the prevalence of cervical and colorectal cancer screening from pre- to post-ACA in expansion and non-expansion states among patients seen in CHCs. Electronic health record data on 624,601 non-pregnant patients aged 21-64 eligible for cervical or colorectal cancer screening between 1/1/2012 and 12/31/2015 from 203 CHCs were analyzed. We assessed changes in prevalence and screening likelihood among patients, by insurance type and race/ethnicity and compared Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states using difference-in-difference methodology. Female patients had 19% increased odds of receiving cervical cancer screening post- relative to pre-ACA in expansion states [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09-1.31] and 23% increased odds in non-expansion states (aOR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.05-1.46): the greatest increase was among uninsured patients in expansion states (aOR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.16-1.59) and privately-insured patients in non-expansion states (aOR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.11-1.84). Colorectal cancer screening prevalence increased from 11% to 18% pre- to post-ACA in expansion states and from 13% to 21% in non-expansion states. For most outcomes, the observed changes were not significantly different between expansion and non-expansion states. Despite increased prevalences of cervical and colorectal cancer screening in both expansion and non-expansion states across all race/ethnicity groups, rates remained suboptimal for this population of socioeconomically disadvantaged patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Huguet
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, United States
| | - Heather Angier
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, United States
| | - Rebecca Rdesinski
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, United States
| | - Megan Hoopes
- OCHIN Inc., 1881 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR, 97201, United States
| | - Miguel Marino
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, United States; Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239, United States
| | - Heather Holderness
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, United States.
| | - Jennifer E DeVoe
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, United States
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19
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Xu WY, Wickizer TM, Jung JK. Effectiveness of Medicare cost-sharing elimination for Cancer screening on utilization. BMC Health Serv Res 2019; 19:392. [PMID: 31208422 PMCID: PMC6580447 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4135-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) eliminated the cost-sharing requirement for several preventive cancer screenings. This study examined the cancer screening utilization of mammogram, Pap smear and colonoscopy in Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) under the ACA. Methods The primary data were the 2007–2013 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey linked to FFS claims. The effect of the cost-sharing removal on the probability of receiving a preventive cancer screening test was estimated using a logistic regression, separately for each screening test, adjusting for the complex survey design. The model was also separately estimated for different socioeconomic and race/ethnic groups. The study sample included beneficiaries with Part B coverage for the entire calendar year, excluding beneficiaries in Medicaid or Medicare Advantage plans. Beneficiaries with a claims-documented or self-reported history of targeted cancers, who were likely to have diagnostic tests or have surveillance screenings were excluded. The screening measures were constructed separately following Medicare coverage and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations. We measured the screening utilization outcome drawing from claims data, as well as using the self-reported survey data. Results After the cost-sharing removal policy, we found no statistically significant difference in a beneficiary’s probability of receiving a colonoscopy (transition period: OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.90–1.29; post-policy period: OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.83–1.42), a mammogram (transition period: OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.91–1.17; post-policy period: OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.88–1.30), or a biennial Pap smear (transition period: OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.69–1.09; post-policy period: OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.51–1.03) in claims-based measures following Medicare coverage. Similarly, we found null effects of the policy change on utilization of colonoscopy among enrollees 50–75 years old, biennial mammograms by women 50–74, and triennial Pap smear tests among women 21–65 in claims-based measures according to USPSTF. The findings from survey-based measures were consistent with the estimates from claims-based measures, except that the use of Pap smear declined since 2011. Further, the policy change did not increase utilization in patients with disadvantaged socioeconomic characteristics. Yet the disparate patterns in adjusted screening rates by socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity persisted over time. Conclusions Removing out-of-pocket costs for screenings did not provide enough incentives to increase the screening rates among Medicare beneficiaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Yi Xu
- Division of Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Cunz Hall 208, 1841 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43220, USA.
| | - Thomas M Wickizer
- Division of Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Cunz Hall 208, 1841 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43220, USA
| | - Jeah Kyoungrae Jung
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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20
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Maxwell J, Shats O, Aldridge J, Lyden E, Krie A, Conklin R, Manning K, Fahed R, Vaziri I, Deveras RAE, Mateen Z, Crow K, Bjorling V, Meschi JT, Makoni S, Kruter F, Cowan K. The impact of the affordable care act on breast cancer care in the USA: A multi-institutional analysis. Breast J 2019; 25:948-952. [PMID: 31187577 DOI: 10.1111/tbj.13373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
There are less data available on the effect of the ACA on breast cancer care beyond the screening level. A retrospective review at participating iCaRe2/BCCR institutions was completed before and after ACA. Post-ACA, patients were older, more urban, and more likely to be insured through Medicaid. Increased imaging use was noted post-ACA. These patients were less likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancers, received fewer mastectomies, and were more likely to have radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Maxwell
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Oleg Shats
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | | | | | - Amy Krie
- Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
| | - Richard Conklin
- Avera St. Luke's Medical Group Oncology & Hematology, Aberdeen, South Dakota
| | - Kenneth Manning
- Cape Fear Valley Health System, Fayetteville, North Carolina
| | - Rabih Fahed
- Faith Regional Health Services Carson Cancer Center, Carson, Nebraska
| | | | | | | | - Kate Crow
- CGC, Penrose Cancer Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado
| | | | | | - Stephen Makoni
- Trinity Hospital Cancer Care Center, Minot, North Dakota
| | - Flavio Kruter
- William E Kahlert Regional Cancer Center, Westminster, Maryland
| | - Kenneth Cowan
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
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Cole AP, Krasnova A, Ramaswamy A, Fletcher SA, Friedlander DF, McNabb-Baltar J, Melnitchouk N, Lipsitz SR, Sun M, Kibel AS, Golshan M, Haider AH, Weissman JS, Trinh QD. Recommended Cancer Screening in Accountable Care Organizations: Trends in Colonoscopy and Mammography in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. J Oncol Pract 2019; 15:e547-e559. [PMID: 30998420 DOI: 10.1200/jop.18.00352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are a delivery and payment model designed to encourage integrated, high-value care. We designed a study to test the association between ACOs and two recommended cancer screening tests, colonoscopy for colorectal cancer and mammography for breast cancer. METHODS Using the random 20% sample of Medicare claims, beneficiaries were attributed to ACO or non-ACO cohorts on the basis of providers' enrollment in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. An inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to balance patient characteristics between ACO and non-ACO cohorts. A propensity score-weighted, difference-in-differences analysis was then performed using the same provider groups in 2010-pre-ACO-as a baseline. A secondary analysis for older-nonrecommended-age ranges was performed. RESULTS Prevalence of colonoscopy in recommended age ranges in ACOs from 2010 to 2014 increased from 15.3% (95% CI, 14.9% to 15.6%) to 17.9% (95% CI, 17.3% to 18.5%). This differed significantly from the change in non-ACOs (difference in differences, 1.2%; P < .001). Among women in ACOs, mammography prevalence rose from 53.7% (95% CI, 53.0% to 54.4%) to 54.9% (95% CI, 54.2% to 55.7%). In contrast to colonoscopy, the difference in mammography prevalence was not significantly different in ACO versus non-ACOs (difference in differences, 0.49%; P < .13). A similar pattern was also observed in older-nonrecommended-age ranges with significant difference in differences (ACO v non-ACO) in colonoscopy, but not mammography. CONCLUSION The impact of ACOs on cancer screening varies between screening tests. Our results are consistent with a greater effect of ACOs on high-cost, high-complexity screening services, which may be more sensitive to integrated care delivery models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ashwin Ramaswamy
- 1 Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.,2 Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Boston, MA
| | - Sean A Fletcher
- 1 Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.,2 Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Boston, MA
| | | | | | | | | | - Maxine Sun
- 1 Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.,2 Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Boston, MA
| | - Adam S Kibel
- 1 Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.,2 Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Boston, MA
| | - Mehra Golshan
- 1 Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.,2 Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Boston, MA
| | | | | | - Quoc-Dien Trinh
- 1 Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.,2 Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Boston, MA
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22
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Alharbi A, Khan MM, Horner R, Brandt H, Chapman C. Impact of removing cost sharing under the affordable care act (ACA) on mammography and pap test use. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:370. [PMID: 30943933 PMCID: PMC6446257 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6665-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Affordable Care Act (ACA) required private insurers and Medicare to cover recommended preventive services without any cost sharing to improve utilization of these services. This study is an attempt to identify the impact of removing cost sharing on mammography and pap test utilization rates. METHODS Counterfactual analysis was used to predict what would have been the screening rates in post-ACA if ACA was not there. This was done by estimating a model that examines determinants of dependent variable for the pre-ACA year (pre-ACA year is 2009). The estimated model was then used to predict the dependent variable for the post-ACA year using individual characteristics and other relevant variables unlikely to be affected by ACA (post-ACA year is 2016). Effect of ACA is defined as the difference between the values of dependent variables in post-ACA and the predicted values of dependent variables in the post-ACA year using counterfactual. RESULTS The counterfactual analysis show that the utilization of mammogram and pap test did not improve following ACA. CONCLUSION Removal of cost-sharing under the ACA did not improve mammography or pap test rates. Therefore, financial barrier may not be an important factor in affecting utilization of the screening tests and policy makers should focus on other non-financial barriers in order to improve coverage of the tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer Alharbi
- Health Services Policy and Management department, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC USA
| | - M. Mahmud Khan
- Health Services Policy and Management department, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC USA
| | - Ronnie Horner
- Health Services Policy and Management department, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC USA
| | - Heather Brandt
- Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior department, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC USA
| | - Cole Chapman
- Health Services Policy and Management department, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC USA
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Impact of The Affordable Care Act's Elimination of Cost-Sharing on the Guideline-Concordant Utilization of Cancer Preventive Screenings in the United States Using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Healthcare (Basel) 2019; 7:healthcare7010036. [PMID: 30832276 PMCID: PMC6473889 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare7010036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently available evidence regarding the association of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) elimination of cost-sharing and the utilization of cancer screenings is mixed. We determined whether the ACA’s zero cost-sharing policy affected the guideline-concordant utilization of cancer screenings, comparing adults (≥21 years) from 2009 with 2011–2014 data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Study participants were categorized as: 21–64 years with any private insurance, ≥65 years with Medicare only, and 21–64 years uninsured, with a separate sample for each type of screening test. Adjusted weighted prevalence and prevalence ratios (PR (95%CI)) were estimated. In 2014 (vs. 2009), privately-insured women reported 2% (0.98 (0.97–0.99)) and 4% (0.96 (0.93–0.99)) reduction in use of Pap tests and mammography, respectively. Privately-insured non-Hispanic Asian women had 16% (0.84 (0.74–0.97)) reduction in mammography in 2014 (vs. 2009). In 2011 (vs. 2009), privately-insured and Medicare-only men reported 9% (1.09 (1.03–1.16)) and 13% (1.13 (1.02–1.25)) increases in colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings, respectively. Privately-insured women reported a 6–7% rise in 2013–2014 (vs. 2009), and Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries also reported 40–44%, a significant rise in 2011–2014 (vs. 2009), in the utilization of CRC screenings. While the guideline-concordant utilization of Pap tests and mammography declined in the post-ACA period, the elimination of cost-sharing appeared to have positively affected CRC screenings of privately-insured males, females, and Hispanic Medicare-only beneficiaries. Greater awareness about the zero cost-sharing policy may help in increasing the uptake of cancer screenings.
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Satyananda V, Ozao-Choy J, Dauphine C, Chen KT. Effect of the Affordable Care Act on breast cancer presentation at a safety net hospital. Am J Surg 2019; 217:764-766. [PMID: 30683317 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandated the expansion of Medicaid in order to increase access to health care services. We examined the effect of the ACA on breast cancer screening and diagnosis at a Los Angeles safety net hospital. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of breast cancer patients treated at our institution. We compared two cohorts: patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the years 2011-2012 (pre-ACA) vs. 2015-2016 (post-ACA). RESULTS There were no differences in number of screening mammograms performed, age at diagnosis, mammography-detected cancers, or clinical stage at diagnosis. There was a significant decrease in the number of patients who reported as self-pay (34% vs. 6%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION In the 2-year period following ACA implementation, there was limited impact on breast cancer presentation at a safety-net hospital. Long-term follow-up across different healthcare systems is necessary to fully evaluate the global impact of the ACA on breast cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Satyananda
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Junko Ozao-Choy
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Christine Dauphine
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Kathryn T Chen
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA.
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Facilitators and barriers to optimal preventive service use among providers and older patients. Geriatr Nurs 2019; 40:72-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Sabatino SA, Thompson TD, Miller JW, Breen N, White MC, Breslau E, Shoemaker ML. Prevalence of Out-Of-Pocket Payments for Mammography Screening Among Recently Screened Women. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2018; 28:910-918. [PMID: 30265611 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2018.6973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Because cost may be a barrier to receiving mammography screening, cost sharing for "in-network" screening mammograms was eliminated in many insurance plans with implementation of the Affordable Care Act. We examined prevalence of out-of-pocket payments for screening mammography after elimination in many plans. Materials and Methods: Using 2015 National Health Interview Survey data, we examined whether women aged 50-74 years who had screening mammography within the previous year (n = 3,278) reported paying any cost for mammograms. Logistic regression models stratified by age (50-64 and 65-74 years) examined out-of-pocket payment by demographics and insurance (ages 50-64 years: private, Medicaid, other, and uninsured; ages 65-74 years: private ± Medicare, Medicare+Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, Medicare only, and other). Results: Of women aged 50-64 years, 23.5% reported payment, including 39.1% of uninsured women. Compared with that of privately insured women, payment was less likely for women with Medicaid (adjusted OR 0.17 [95% CI 0.07-0.41]) or other insurance (0.49 [0.25-0.96]) and more likely for uninsured women (1.99 [0.99-4.02]) (p < 0.001 across groups). For women aged 65-74 years, 11.9% reported payment, including 22.5% of Medicare-only beneficiaries. Compared with private ± Medicare beneficiaries, payment was less likely for Medicare+Medicaid beneficiaries (adjusted OR 0.21 [95% CI 0.06-0.73]) and more likely for Medicare-only beneficiaries (1.83 [1.01-3.32]) (p = 0.005 across groups). Conclusions: Although most women reported no payment for their most recent screening mammogram in 2015, some payment was reported by >20% of women aged 50-64 years or aged 65-74 years with Medicare only, and by almost 40% of uninsured women aged 50-64 years. Efforts are needed to understand why many women in some groups report paying out of pocket for mammograms and whether this impacts screening use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan A Sabatino
- 1Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Trevor D Thompson
- 1Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jacqueline W Miller
- 1Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nancy Breen
- 2National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Mary C White
- 1Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Erica Breslau
- 3Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Meredith L Shoemaker
- 1Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Bozzi LM, Stuart B, Onukwugha E, Tom SE. Utilization of Screening Mammograms in the Medicare Population Before and After the Affordable Care Act Implementation. J Aging Health 2018; 32:25-32. [PMID: 30246588 DOI: 10.1177/0898264318802047] [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: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective: This study examined screening mammograms in women aged 65 to 74 years and 75+ years before and after the Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation. Method: This repeated cross-sectional study of community-dwelling women age 65+ years without a history of breast cancer or mastectomy utilized the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey and Medicare fee-for-service claims data from 2001 to 2013. We used covariate-adjusted logistic regression with generalized estimating equations, stratified by age group. Results: The adjusted odds of screening mammograms in women aged 65-74 (n = 742) and 75+ years (n = 681) were lower in 2013 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.67, 0.83]; OR: 0.67, 95% CI: [0.60, 0.75], respectively) than the odds of screening mammograms in 2001. Discussion: Annual screening mammograms decreased in women aged 65 to 74 years and 75+ years, despite increased access from the ACA implementation. Future research as to why women are no longer receiving screening mammograms, such as changes in physician specialty guidelines, is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Bozzi
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, USA
| | - Bruce Stuart
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Sarah E Tom
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
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Breast Cancer Disparities Among Women in Underserved Communities in the USA. CURRENT BREAST CANCER REPORTS 2018; 10:131-141. [PMID: 31501690 DOI: 10.1007/s12609-018-0277-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Breast cancer disparities that exist between high-income countries (HIC) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are also reflected within population subgroups throughout the United States (US). Here we examine three case studies of US populations "left behind" in breast cancer outcomes/equity. Recent Findings African Americans in Chicago, non-Latina White women in Appalachia, and Latinas in the Yakima Valley of Washington State all experience a myriad of factors that contribute to lower rates of breast cancer detection and appropriate treatment as well as poorer survival. These factors, related to the social determinants of health, including geographic isolation, lack of availability of care, and personal constraints, can be addressed with interventions at multiple levels. Summary Although HICs have reduced mortality of breast cancer compared to LMICs, there remain inequities in the US healthcare system. Concerted efforts are needed to ensure that all women have access to equitable screening, detection, treatment, and survivorship resources.
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Dean LT, Gehlert S, Neuhouser ML, Oh A, Zanetti K, Goodman M, Thompson B, Visvanathan K, Schmitz KH. Social factors matter in cancer risk and survivorship. Cancer Causes Control 2018; 29:611-618. [PMID: 29846844 PMCID: PMC5999161 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-018-1043-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Greater attention to social factors, such as race/ethnicity, socioeconomic position, and others, are needed across the cancer continuum, including breast cancer, given differences in tumor biology and genetic variants have not completely explained the persistent Black/White breast cancer mortality disparity. In this commentary, we use examples in breast cancer risk assessment and survivorship to demonstrate how the failure to appropriately incorporate social factors into the design, recruitment, and analysis of research studies has resulted in missed opportunities to reduce persistent cancer disparities. The conclusion offers recommendations for how to better document and use information on social factors in cancer research and care by (1) increasing education and awareness about the importance of inclusion of social factors in clinical research; (2) improving testing and documentation of social factors by incorporating them into journal guidelines and reporting stratified results; and (3) including social factors to refine extant tools that assess cancer risk and assign cancer care. Implementing the recommended changes would enable more effective design and implementation of interventions and work toward eliminating cancer disparities by accounting for the social and environmental contexts in which cancer patients live and are treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine T Dean
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 615 N Wolfe St, E6650, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Sarah Gehlert
- College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Marian L Neuhouser
- Cancer Prevention Program, Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - April Oh
- Behavioral Research Program Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Krista Zanetti
- Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Melody Goodman
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Beti Thompson
- Cancer Prevention Program, Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kala Visvanathan
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 615 N Wolfe St, E6650, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kathryn H Schmitz
- Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
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Molina Y, San Miguel C, Sanz S, San Miguel L, Rankin K, Handler A. Adapting to a Shifting Health Care Landscape: Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program Lead Agencies' Perspectives. Health Promot Pract 2018; 20:600-607. [PMID: 29759013 DOI: 10.1177/1524839918776012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how safety net programs adapt to systemic health care changes is pivotal for creating feasible recommendations for policy implementation. This study characterizes perspectives of Lead Agency (LA) coordinators of the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP) in response to sociopolitical changes at state and national levels. Our cross-sectional study included 29 semistructured telephone interviews between December 2015 and January 2016. Respondents indicated some changes in the priority population served, changes in referrals and clinical services, and, a continued commitment to IBCCP. Our findings suggest that IBCCP and other safety net programs will need to be flexible to meet the ongoing needs of historically vulnerable populations in a complex, shifting environment. Implications for public health practice and policy include the need to ensure that program personnel are aware of evidence-based strategies to reach different priority populations and are kept abreast of organizational and system changes that may affect referral patterns as well as the need to educate health care providers working with safety net programs about changes in the delivery and coordination of services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamile Molina
- 1 University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Stephanie Sanz
- 2 California Department of Public Health, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Arden Handler
- 1 University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Resnick MJ, Graves AJ, Thapa S, Gambrel R, Tyson MD, Lee D, Buntin MB, Penson DF. Medicare Accountable Care Organization Enrollment and Appropriateness of Cancer Screening. JAMA Intern Med 2018; 178:648-654. [PMID: 29554179 PMCID: PMC5876897 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.8087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Despite rapid diffusion of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), whether ACO enrollment results in observable changes in cancer screening remains unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine whether Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACO enrollment changes the appropriateness of screening for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS For this population-based analysis of Medicare beneficiaries, we used Medicare data from 2007 through 2014 and evaluated changes in screening associated with ACO enrollment using differences-in-differences (DD) analyses. We then performed difference-in-difference-in-differences (DDD) analyses to determine whether observed changes in cancer screening associated with ACO enrollment were different across strata of appropriateness, defined using age (65-74 years vs ≥75 years) and predicted survival (top vs bottom quartile). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Rates of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer screening measured yearly as a proportion of eligible Medicare beneficiaries undergoing relevant screening services. RESULTS Among Medicare beneficiaries, comprising 39 218 652 person-years before MSSP enrollment and 17 252 345 person-years after MSSP enrollment, breast cancer screening declined among both ACO (42.7% precontract, 38.1% postcontract) and non-ACO (37.3% precontract, 34.1% postcontract) populations. The adjusted rate of decline (DD) in the ACO population exceeded the non-ACO population by 0.79% (P < .001). This decline was most pronounced among elderly women (-2.1%), with minimal observed change among younger women (-0.26%). Baseline colorectal cancer screening rates were lower than those for breast cancer among both ACO (10.1% precontract, 10.3% postcontract) and non-ACO (9.2% precontract, 9.1% postcontract) populations. We observed an adjusted 0.24% (P = .03) increase in screening associated with ACO enrollment, most pronounced among younger Medicare beneficiaries (0.36%). For breast and colorectal cancer, we observed statistically significant differences in estimates of effect between age strata, suggesting that the ACO effect on cancer screening is mediated by age (DDD for both P < .001). Prostate cancer screening declined among ACO (35.1% precontract, 28.5% postcontract) and non-ACO (31.2% precontract, 25.7% postcontract) populations. The adjusted rate of decline in the ACO population exceeded that of the non-ACO population by 1.2%. We observed no difference in estimate of effect between age strata, suggesting that the ACO-mediated changes in prostate cancer screening are similar among younger and elderly men. Results characterizing appropriateness with predicted survival mirrored those when stratified by age. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO enrollment is associated with more appropriate breast and colorectal screening, although the magnitude of the observed ACO effect is modest in the early ACO experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Resnick
- Departments of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.,Departments of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.,Geriatric Research and Education Center, Tennessee Valley VA Health Care System, Nashville
| | - Amy J Graves
- Departments of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sunita Thapa
- Departments of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Robert Gambrel
- Departments of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Mark D Tyson
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona
| | - Daniel Lee
- Departments of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Melinda B Buntin
- Departments of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - David F Penson
- Departments of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.,Departments of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.,Geriatric Research and Education Center, Tennessee Valley VA Health Care System, Nashville
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Abstract
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) included multiple provisions expected to increase cancer screening and subsequently early diagnosis of cancer. Key provisions included new coverage options for low-income adults and young adults, as well as elimination of cost sharing for recommended preventive services across most health insurance plans. This article reviews relevant quantitative studies published since the ACA's passage to assess whether the goal of increasing access to preventive services has been met. Because of lags in data availability, most studies examined only a short period post-ACA. Findings on changes in screening in the general population were mixed, although impacts were greatest among those with lower education and income, as well as groups that previously faced the highest cost barriers to screening. Furthermore, multiple studies found evidence of increases in early-stage diagnoses for certain cancers. Thus, certain targeted populations appear to have better access to cancer screening after the ACA.
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Trivedi AN, Leyva B, Lee Y, Panagiotou OA, Dahabreh IJ. Elimination of Cost Sharing for Screening Mammography in Medicare Advantage Plans. N Engl J Med 2018; 378:262-269. [PMID: 29342379 PMCID: PMC5842919 DOI: 10.1056/nejmsa1706808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Affordable Care Act (ACA) required most insurers and the Medicare program to eliminate cost sharing for screening mammography. METHODS We conducted a difference-in-differences study of biennial screening mammography among 15,085 women 65 to 74 years of age in 24 Medicare Advantage plans that eliminated cost sharing to provide full coverage for screening mammography, as compared with 52,035 women in 48 matched control plans that had and maintained full coverage. RESULTS In plans that eliminated cost sharing, adjusted rates of biennial screening mammography increased from 59.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54.9 to 65.0) in the 2-year period before cost-sharing elimination to 65.4% (95% CI, 61.8 to 69.0) in the 2-year period thereafter. In control plans, the rates of biennial mammography were 73.1% (95% CI, 69.2 to 77.0) and 72.8% (95% CI, 69.7 to 76.0) during the same periods, yielding a difference in differences of 5.7 percentage points (95% CI, 3.0 to 8.4). The difference in differences was 9.8 percentage points (95% CI, 4.5 to 15.2) among women living in the areas with the highest quartile of educational attainment versus 4.3 percentage points (95% CI, 0.2 to 8.4) among women in the lowest quartile. As indicated by the difference-in-differences estimates, after the elimination of cost sharing, the rate of biennial mammography increased by 6.5 percentage points (95% CI, 3.7 to 9.4) for white women and 8.4 percentage points (95% CI, 2.5 to 14.4) for black women but was almost unchanged for Hispanic women (0.4 percentage points; 95% CI, -7.3 to 8.1). CONCLUSIONS The elimination of cost sharing for screening mammography under the ACA was associated with an increase in rates of use of this service among older women for whom screening is recommended. The effect was attenuated among women living in areas with lower educational attainment and was negligible among Hispanic women. (Funded by the National Institute on Aging.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal N Trivedi
- From the Departments of Health Services, Policy and Practice (A.N.T., B.L., Y.L., O.A.P., I.J.D.), and Epidemiology (I.J.D.), Brown University School of Public Health, and the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center (A.N.T.) - both in Providence, RI
| | - Bryan Leyva
- From the Departments of Health Services, Policy and Practice (A.N.T., B.L., Y.L., O.A.P., I.J.D.), and Epidemiology (I.J.D.), Brown University School of Public Health, and the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center (A.N.T.) - both in Providence, RI
| | - Yoojin Lee
- From the Departments of Health Services, Policy and Practice (A.N.T., B.L., Y.L., O.A.P., I.J.D.), and Epidemiology (I.J.D.), Brown University School of Public Health, and the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center (A.N.T.) - both in Providence, RI
| | - Orestis A Panagiotou
- From the Departments of Health Services, Policy and Practice (A.N.T., B.L., Y.L., O.A.P., I.J.D.), and Epidemiology (I.J.D.), Brown University School of Public Health, and the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center (A.N.T.) - both in Providence, RI
| | - Issa J Dahabreh
- From the Departments of Health Services, Policy and Practice (A.N.T., B.L., Y.L., O.A.P., I.J.D.), and Epidemiology (I.J.D.), Brown University School of Public Health, and the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center (A.N.T.) - both in Providence, RI
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Coplan B. An Ecological Approach to Understanding Preventive Service Utilization Among the Underserved. FAMILY & COMMUNITY HEALTH 2018; 41:18-27. [PMID: 29135791 DOI: 10.1097/fch.0000000000000169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Preventive services have the potential to reduce health disparities; however, these services are underutilized, particularly among the underserved. Patients with low socioeconomic status and racial and ethnic minorities experience significant health disparities related to cancer and infectious and chronic diseases but face multilevel challenges accessing preventive care. The purpose of this article is to enhance understanding of preventive service utilization among underserved patients by providing an ecological framework that addresses factors at multiple levels that influence patient care. In addition to factors that directly impact the patient, the framework incorporates influences on the patient's experience of the health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettie Coplan
- School for the Science of Health Care Delivery, College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix
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Misra A, Lloyd JT, Strawbridge LM, Wensky SG. Use of Welcome to Medicare Visits Among Older Adults Following the Affordable Care Act. Am J Prev Med 2018; 54:37-43. [PMID: 29132952 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2017.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To encourage greater utilization of preventive services among Medicare beneficiaries, the 2010 Affordable Care Act waived coinsurance for the Welcome to Medicare visit, making this benefit free starting in 2011. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the Affordable Care Act on Welcome to Medicare visit utilization. METHODS A 5% sample of newly enrolled fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries for 2005-2016 was used to estimate changes in Welcome to Medicare visit use over time. An interrupted time series model examined whether Welcome to Medicare visits increased significantly after 2011, controlling for pre-intervention trends and other autocorrelation. RESULTS Annual Welcome to Medicare visit rates began at 1.4% in 2005 and increased to 12.3% by 2016. The quarterly Welcome to Medicare visit rate, which was almost 1% at baseline, was increasing by 0.06% before the 2011 Affordable Care Act provision (p<0.001). Immediately following the 2011 Affordable Care Act provision, the rate increased by about 1% in the first quarter of 2011 (intercept, p<0.001), followed by an increase of 0.13% every subsequent quarter (slope, p<0.001). This general trend was observed in subgroup analyses, although this trend varied by subgroups where the pre-Affordable Care Act trends of lower utilization persisted over time for non-whites and improved less quickly for men, regions other than Northeast, and beneficiaries without any supplemental insurance. CONCLUSIONS The Affordable Care Act, and perhaps the removal of cost sharing, was associated with increased use of the Welcome to Medicare visit; however, even with the increased use, there is room for improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpit Misra
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Jennifer T Lloyd
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Larisa M Strawbridge
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Suzanne G Wensky
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Baltimore, Maryland
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Peterse EFP, Meester RGS, Gini A, Doubeni CA, Anderson DS, Berger FG, Zauber AG, Lansdorp-Vogelaar I. Value Of Waiving Coinsurance For Colorectal Cancer Screening In Medicare Beneficiaries. Health Aff (Millwood) 2017; 36:2151-2159. [PMID: 29200350 PMCID: PMC6067012 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2017.0228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Financial barriers to colorectal cancer screening persist despite the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Medicare beneficiaries may face 20 percent coinsurance for a screening colonoscopy when the procedure includes the removal of polyps or follows a positive fecal screening test. Using an established microsimulation model, we estimated that waiving this coinsurance would result in 1.7 fewer colorectal cancer deaths (a decrease of 13 percent) and $17,000 higher colorectal cancer-related costs (an increase of 0.6 percent) for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services per 1,000 sixty-five-year-olds, assuming a 10-percentage-point increase in the rates of first colonoscopy screening, follow-up, and surveillance. If the rates did not change, waiving coinsurance would increase total costs by $51,000 (1.9 percent) per 1,000 sixty-five-year-olds. Estimated screening benefits were comparable when fecal testing was assumed to be the primary screening method. Moreover, waiving coinsurance would be cost-effective if the screening rate increased by 0.6 percentage points, assuming a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. Thus, the waiver is likely to have a favorable balance of health and cost impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth F P Peterse
- Elisabeth F. P. Peterse ( ) is a PhD candidate in the Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Reinier G S Meester
- Reinier G. S. Meester is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center
| | - Andrea Gini
- Andrea Gini is a PhD candidate in the Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center
| | - Chyke A Doubeni
- Chyke A. Doubeni is an associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, in Philadelphia
| | - Daniel S Anderson
- Daniel S. Anderson is a staff gastoenterologist in the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Group, in San Diego
| | - Franklin G Berger
- Franklin G. Berger is the George H. Bunch Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and director of Center for Colon Cancer Research, both in the Jones Physical Sciences Center, University of South Carolina, in Columbia
| | - Ann G Zauber
- Ann G. Zauber is a member, attending biostatistician in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, in New York City
| | - Iris Lansdorp-Vogelaar
- Iris Lansdorp-Vogelaar is an associate professor in the Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center
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Affiliation(s)
- Danelle Cayea
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, 5500 Eastern Avenue, Mason F. Lord Building, Center Tower, Suite 2200, Room 208, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Samuel C Durso
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Mason F. Lord Building, Center Tower, Floor 3, DOM Suite, Room 317, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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An Out-of-Pocket Cost Removal Intervention on Fecal Occult Blood Test Attendance. Am J Prev Med 2017; 53:e51-e62. [PMID: 28236518 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To date, no comparative study has assessed the impact of a cost-removal intervention on fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). In 2012, the Japanese government introduced a nationwide project to remove out-of-pocket costs for FOBT. The study objective was to evaluate the differential impact of the intervention on FOBT attendance in the total population and various subgroups. METHODS This study analyzed 309,103 people in national, repeated cross-sectional studies, observed pre- and post-intervention (2010 and 2013), using covariate-adjusted difference-in-differences estimates to compare intervention and no-intervention groups. The outcome measure was uptake of FOBT attendance resulting from the intervention. Stratified analyses were conducted according to sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. RESULTS The intervention was associated with significantly positive uptake of FOBT in both genders, but the impact was greater in women than men: 6.7% (95% CI=5.2, 8.1) for women and 2.7% (95% CI=1.1, 4.3) for men in the covariate-adjusted models. Post-intervention, attendance increased in almost all subgroups in women. However, among men, some socially advantaged subgroups, such as high expenditure, high education, and public officers, showed no effect. Some subgroups such as current smokers and less than high school education were identified as hard-to-reach populations that may be less sensitive to the intervention, irrespective of gender. CONCLUSIONS This is the first comparative study of cost-removal intervention for uptake of FOBT. The intervention may increase FOBT attendance. However, the size of the effect is not great, especially in men, and differential effects occurred across subgroups including gender and socioeconomic differences.
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Wyatt TE, Pernenkil V, Akinyemiju TF. Trends in breast and colorectal cancer screening among U.S. adults by race, healthcare coverage, and SES before, during, and after the great recession. Prev Med Rep 2017; 7:239-245. [PMID: 28879070 PMCID: PMC5575433 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is examine trends in breast and colorectal cancer screening in the U.S. by race, healthcare coverage, and socio-economic status (SES) before the Great Recession (2003-2005), during the recession (2007-2009), and post-recession/Affordable Care Act (ACA) period (2010 - 2012). Data on a representative sample of U.S. adults was obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Breast and colorectal cancer screening were defined in line with U.S. Preventative Services Task Force guidelines, and survey weighted statistical methods were utilized to analyze trends in cancer screening among 1,858,572 BRFSS participants. Overall, 83% of women received mammograms in the past 2 years, while 95% of adults received colorectal cancer screening in the past 10 years. Compared with the pre-recession period, the odds of colorectal screening within 5 years were slightly higher during the recession (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03-1.08) but significantly lower in the post-recession/ACA period (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.72-0.75). Odds of mammography screening were lower during (OR: 0.94,95% CI: 0.91-0.96) and post-recession/ACA period (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.78-0.82). Breast cancer screening rates declined in the recession and post-recession, while colorectal cancer screening rates increased during the recession and decreased post-recession. Low SES adults and those without healthcare coverage were the least likely to receive screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor E Wyatt
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Vikash Pernenkil
- University of South Alabama, College of Medicine, Mobile, AL, USA
| | - Tomi F Akinyemiju
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Cooper GS, Kou TD, Dor A, Koroukian SM, Schluchter MD. Cancer preventive services, socioeconomic status, and the Affordable Care Act. Cancer 2017; 123:1585-1589. [PMID: 28067955 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Out-of-pocket expenditures are thought to be an important barrier to the receipt of cancer preventive services, especially for those of a lower socioeconomic status (SES). The Affordable Care Act (ACA) eliminated out-of-pocket expenditures for recommended services, including mammography and colonoscopy. The objective of this study was to determine changes in the uptake of mammography and colonoscopy among fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries before and after ACA implementation. METHODS Using Medicare claims data, this study identified women who were 70 years old or older and had not undergone mammography in the previous 2 years and men and women who were 70 years old or older, were at increased risk for colorectal cancer, and had not undergone colonoscopy in the past 5 years. The receipt of procedures in the 2-year period before the ACA's implementation (2009-2010) and after its implementation (2011 to September 2012) was also identified. Multivariate generalized estimating equation models were used to determine the independent association and county-level quartile of median income and education with the receipt of testing. RESULTS For mammography, a lower SES quartile was associated with less uptake, but the post-ACA disparities were smaller than those in the pre-ACA period. In addition, mammography rates increased from the pre-ACA period to the post-ACA period in all SES quartiles. For colonoscopy, in both the pre- and post-ACA periods, there was an association between uptake and educational level and, to some extent, income. However, there were no appreciable changes in colonoscopy and SES after implementation of the ACA. CONCLUSIONS The removal of out-of-pocket expenditures may overcome a barrier to the receipt of recommended preventive services, but for colonoscopy, other procedural factors may remain as deterrents. Cancer 2017;123:1585-1589. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory S Cooper
- Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Tzuyung Doug Kou
- Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Avi Dor
- Department of Health Policy, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Siran M Koroukian
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Mark D Schluchter
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
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