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Padamsee TJ, Montgomery C, Kienzle S, Straughn JB, Elmore A, Fulton-Kehoe DL, Schulman B, Wickizer TM, Franklin GM. Impacts of State-Level Opioid Review Programs on Injured Workers and Their Health Care Providers: A Qualitative Study in Washington and Ohio. Milbank Q 2024. [PMID: 38861655 DOI: 10.1111/1468-0009.12705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Policy Points Workers' compensation agencies have instituted opioid review policies to reduce unsafe prescribing. Providers reported more limited and cautious prescribing than in the past; both patients and providers reported collaborative pain-management relationships and satisfactory pain control for patients. Despite the fears articulated by pharmaceutical companies and patient advocates, opioid review programs have not generally resulted in unmanaged pain or reduced function in patients, anger or resistance from patients or providers, or damage to patient-provider relationships or clinical autonomy. Other insurance providers with broad physician networks may want to consider similar quality-improvement efforts to support safe opioid prescribing. CONTEXT Unsafe prescribing practices have been among the central causes of improper reception of opioids, unsafe use, and overdose in the United States. Workers' compensation agencies in Washington and Ohio have implemented opioid review programs (ORPs)-a form of quality improvement based on utilization review-to curb unsafe prescribing. Evidence suggests that such regulations indeed reduce unsafe prescribing, but pharmaceutical companies and patient advocates have raised concerns about negative impacts that could also result. This study explores whether three core sets of problems have actually come to pass: (1) unmanaged pain or reduced function among patients, (2) anger or resistance to ORPs from patients or providers, and (3) damage to patient-provider relationships or clinical autonomy. METHODS In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 48 patients (21 from Washington, 27 from Ohio) and 32 providers (18 from Washington, 14 from Ohio) who were purposively sampled to represent a range of injury and practice types. Thematic coding was conducted with codebooks developed using both inductive and deductive approaches. FINDINGS The consequences of opioid regulations have been generally positive: providers report more limited prescribing and a focus on multimodal pain control; patients report satisfactory pain control and recovery alongside collaborative relationships with providers. Participants attribute these patterns to a broad environment of opioid caution; they do not generally perceive workers' compensation policies as distinctly impactful. Both patients and providers comment frequently on the difficult aspects of interacting with workers' compensation agencies; effects of these range from simple inconvenience to delays in care, unmanaged pain, and reduced potential for physical recovery. CONCLUSIONS In general, the three types of feared negative impacts have not come to pass for either patients or providers. Although interacting with workers' compensation agencies involves difficulties typical of interacting with other insurers, opioid controls seem to have generally positive effects and are generally perceived of favorably.
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Clapp MA, Ray A, Liang P, James KE, Ganguli I, Cohen J. Increasing Postpartum Primary Care Engagement through Default Scheduling and Tailored Messaging : A Randomized Clinical Trial. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.01.21.24301585. [PMID: 38633772 PMCID: PMC11023680 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.21.24301585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Importance Over 30% of pregnant people have at least one chronic medical condition, and nearly 20% develop gestational diabetes or pregnancy-related hypertension, increasing the risk of future chronic disease. While these individuals are often monitored closely during pregnancy, they face significant barriers when transitioning to primary care following delivery, due in part to a lack of health care support for this transition. Objective To evaluate the impact of an intervention designed to improve postpartum primary care engagement by reducing patient administrative burden and information gaps. Design Individual-level randomized controlled trial conducted from November 3, 2022 to October 11, 2023. Setting One hospital-based and five community-based outpatient obstetric clinics affiliated with a large academic medical center. Participants Participants included English- and Spanish-speaking pregnant or recently postpartum adults with obesity, anxiety, depression, diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension, gestational diabetes, or pregnancy-related hypertension, and a primary care practitioner (PCP) listed in their electronic health record (EHR). Intervention A behavioral economics-informed intervention bundle, including default scheduling of postpartum PCP appointments and tailored messages. Main Outcome Completion of a PCP visit for routine or chronic condition care within 4 months of delivery. Results 360 patients were randomized (Control: N=176, Intervention: N=184). Individuals had mean (SD) age 34.1 (4.9) years and median gestational age of 36.3 weeks (interquartile range (IQR) 34.0-38.6 weeks) at enrollment. The distribution of self-reported races was 7.4% Asian, 6.8% Black, 15.0% multiple races or "Other," and 68.6% White. Most (75.8%) participants had anxiety or depression, 15.9% had a chronic or pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder, 19.8% had pre-existing or gestational diabetes, and 40.4% had a pre-pregnancy BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Medicaid was the primary payer for 21.9% of patients. PCP visit completion within 4 months occurred in 22.0% in the control group and 40.0% in the intervention group. In regression models accounting for randomization strata, the intervention increased PCP visit completion by 18.7 percentage points (95%CI 10.7-29.1). Intervention participants also had fewer postpartum readmissions (1.7 vs. 5.8%) and increased receipt of the following services by a PCP: blood pressure screening (42.8 vs. 28.3%), weight assessment (42.8 vs. 27.7%), and depression screening (32.8 vs. 16.8%). Conclusions and Relevance In this randomized trial of pregnant individuals with or at risk for chronic health conditions, default PCP visit scheduling, tailored messages, and reminders substantially improved postpartum primary care engagement. The current lack of support for postpartum transitions to primary care is a missed opportunity to improve recently pregnant individual's short- and long-term health. Reducing patient administrative burdens may represent relatively low-resource, high-impact approaches to improving postpartum health and wellbeing. Trial Registration NCT05543265.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Clapp
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Alaka Ray
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Kaitlyn E James
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ishani Ganguli
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston MA
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Fathi L, Umble K, Waters AR, Kent EE. An Environmental Scan and Qualitative Inquiry of Cancer Patient Navigation Services in North Carolina. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4189013. [PMID: 38659951 PMCID: PMC11042433 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4189013/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives Patient navigation services reduce barriers to accessing cancer care and lead to improved outcomes for patients. North Carolina (NC) has thousands of cancer patients seeking cancer care services each year. We sought to complete a digital environmental scan and qualitative inquiry of cancer patient navigation services throughout the state to better inform patients, hospitals administrators, and state officials about the current state of patient navigation programs for cancer patients throughout NC. Methods For seven cancer hospitals in NC, two steps were used: an environmental scan of publicly available information on the hospitals' websites about navigation services, and key informant interviews with navigation staff at each site. Results The website scans revealed information about navigation services was incomplete. Each hospital had a page dedicated to cancer navigation, but many did not outline the specific services available to patients. Interviews revealed that navigation services are available to cancer patients across diagnoses, although only a subset of patients receive services. Cancer navigators reported that their work includes care coordination, patient advocacy, emotional support, and addressing non-medical barriers to health care access (transportation, finances, childcare, etc.). Each navigation service had a unique configuration and referral pattern. Conclusions Cancer hospitals throughout NC are working to address barriers to care commonly faced by patients, with some programs offering more robust services compared to others. Hospitals would benefit from updating their websites at regular intervals to fully report the services available to patients through their programs, including direct and clear patient navigation contact methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karl Umble
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Dona AC, Jewett PI, Hwee S, Brown K, Solomon M, Gupta A, Teoh D, Yang G, Wolfson J, Fan Y, Blaes AH, Vogel RI. Logistic burdens of cancer care: A qualitative study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300852. [PMID: 38573993 PMCID: PMC10994350 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatment often creates logistic conflicts with everyday life priorities; however, these challenges and how they are subjectively experienced have been largely unaddressed in cancer care. Our goal was to describe time and logistic requirements of cancer care and whether and how they interfered with daily life and well-being. We conducted interviews with 20 adults receiving cancer-directed treatment at a single academic cancer center. We focused on participants' perception of the time, effort, and energy-intensiveness of cancer care activities, organization of care requirements, and preferences in how to manage the logistic burdens of their cancer care. Participant interview transcripts were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Burdens related to travel, appointment schedules, healthcare system navigation, and consequences for relationships had roots both at the system-level (e.g. labs that were chronically delayed, protocol-centered rather than patient-centered bureaucratic requirements) and in individual circumstances (e.g. greater stressors among those working and/or have young children versus those who are retired) that determined subjective burdensomeness, which was highest among patients who experienced multiple sources of burdens simultaneously. Our study illustrates how objective burdens of cancer care translate into subjective burden depending on patient circumstances, emphasizing that to study burdens of care, an exclusive focus on objective measures does not capture the complexity of these issues. The complex interplay between healthcare system factors and individual circumstances points to clinical opportunities, for example helping patients to find ways to meet work and childcare requirements while receiving care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison C. Dona
- School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Patricia I. Jewett
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Sharon Hwee
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Katherine Brown
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Matia Solomon
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Arjun Gupta
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Deanna Teoh
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Guang Yang
- Daynamica, Inc., Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Julian Wolfson
- Daynamica, Inc., Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States of America
- Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Yingling Fan
- Daynamica, Inc., Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States of America
- Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Anne H. Blaes
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Rachel I. Vogel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
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Kyle MA, Keating NL. Prior Authorization and Association With Delayed or Discontinued Prescription Fills. J Clin Oncol 2024; 42:951-960. [PMID: 38086013 PMCID: PMC10927330 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.01693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Prior authorization requirements are increasing but little is known about their effects on access to care. We examined the association of a new prior authorization policy with delayed or discontinued prescription fills for oral anticancer drugs among Medicare Part D beneficiaries. METHODS Using Medicare part D claims data from 2010 to 2020, we studied beneficiaries regularly filling one of 11 oral anticancer drugs, defined as three 30-day fills in 120 days preceding the plan's prior authorization policy change on that drug and continuously enrolled in the same plan for 120 days before and after the policy change at the start of a new year. The control group consisted of beneficiaries meeting the same utilization criteria, but who were enrolled in plans at the same time that did not implement a prior authorization policy change. The outcomes of interest were discontinuation of the drug within 120 days (analyzed with regression analyses) and time (in days) to next fill after a prior authorization policy change (analyzed using a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences event study). RESULTS The introduction of a new prior authorization on an established drug increased the odds of discontinuation within 120 days (adjusted odds ratio, 7.1 [95% CI, 6.0 to 8.5]; P < .001) and increased time to next fill by 9.7 days (95% CI, 8.2 to 11.2; P < .001), relative to patients whose plans did not have a prior authorization policy change. CONCLUSION Introduction of a new prior authorization policy on an established drug regimen is associated with increased probability of discontinued and delayed care. For some conditions, this may represent a clinically consequential barrier to access. Waiving prior authorization for patients already established on a drug may improve adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Anne Kyle
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Nancy L. Keating
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
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Moghavem N, Castañeda GDR, Chatfield AJ, Amezcua L. The impact of medical insurance on health care access and quality for people with multiple sclerosis in the United States: A scoping review. Mult Scler 2024; 30:299-307. [PMID: 37698024 DOI: 10.1177/13524585231197275] [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: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, health insurance coverage and quality mediate access to health care, a key social determinant of health. OBJECTIVE To perform a scoping review regarding the impact of insurance coverage and benefit design on health care access and both clinical and quality of life outcomes in people with MS (pwMS). METHODS Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines were followed. A literature search was conducted from January 2010 to February 2022. Included studies were in English, peer-reviewed, US-based, and evaluated elements of insurance and their relationship with access and quality outcomes for adult pwMS. RESULTS Our search identified 1619 articles, of which 32 met inclusion criteria. Privately insured pwMS were more likely to be on disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Increased out-of-pocket spending was associated with lower DMT adherence and greater discontinuation rates. Access to specialty pharmacy programs was associated with improved DMT adherence. CONCLUSION Health insurance coverage and design strongly influences health care for pwMS in the United States and may be a modifiable social determinant of health. Increased pharmaceutical cost-sharing is associated with declines in DMT utilization and adherence. Further study is needed to better characterize the impacts of other core elements of health insurance, including prior authorization requirements and step therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuriel Moghavem
- Nuriel Moghavem Lilyana Amezcua Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Amy J Chatfield
- Norris Medical Library, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lilyana Amezcua
- Nuriel Moghavem Lilyana Amezcua Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Ilea P, Ilea I. Administrative burden for patients in U.S. health care settings Post-Affordable Care Act: A scoping review. Soc Sci Med 2024; 345:116686. [PMID: 38368662 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Administrative burdens are the costs associated with receiving a service or accessing a program. Based on the Herd & Moynihan framework, they occur in three subcategories: learning costs, compliance costs, and psychological costs. Administrative burdens manifest inequitably, more significantly impacting vulnerable populations. Administrative burdens may impact the health of those trying to access services, and in some cases block access to health-promoting services entirely. This scoping review examined studies focused on the impact on patients of administrative burden administrative burden in health care settings in the U.S. following the passage of the Affordable Care Act. We queried databases for empirical literature capturing patient administrative burden, retrieving 1578 records, with 31 articles ultimately eligible for inclusion. Of the 31 included studies, 18 used quantitative methods, nine used qualitative methods, three used mixed methods, and one was a case study. In terms of administrative burden subcategories, most patient outcomes reported were learning (22 studies) and compliance costs (26 studies). Psychological costs were the most rarely reported; all four studies describing psychological costs were qualitative in nature. Only twelve studies connected patient demographic data with administrative burden data, despite previous research suggesting an inequitable burden impact. Additionally, twenty-eight studies assessed administrative burden and only three attempted to reduce it via an intervention, resulting in a lack of data on intervention design and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Passion Ilea
- Portland State University, School of Social Work, 1800 SW 6th Avenue, Portland, OR, 97201, 503.725.4040, USA.
| | - Ian Ilea
- The Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Portland VA Research Foundation, USA
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Clay T, Callen EF, Alai J, Goodman DW, Adler LA, Faraone SV. Measuring Quality Care for Adult ADHD Patients: How Much Does Gender and Gender Identity Matter? J Atten Disord 2024; 28:364-376. [PMID: 38156652 DOI: 10.1177/10870547231218449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies show adult ADHD presents differently in men and women, however few studies contrast ADHD in cisgender and gender diverse adults. We assessed care differences between these groups using previously identified quality measures (QMs). METHODS Using EHR data, we matched a group of male ADHD patients to a female group. We followed the same procedure with a cisgender group and one identified as gender diverse through a gender dysphoria diagnosis. QM achievement was measured using logistic regression models. RESULTS Most QMs exhibited increasing achievement over time for all groups. Variations in care quality between males and females persisted, with female patients achieving QMs more often. There were no appreciable differences between the cisgender and gender diverse groups. CONCLUSION Though quality care for adult ADHD improved from 2010 to 2020, differences between male and female patients lingered. This effect was not observed in cisgender and gender diverse patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarin Clay
- American Academy of Family Physicians, Leawood, KS, USA
- DARTNet Institute, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Elisabeth F Callen
- American Academy of Family Physicians, Leawood, KS, USA
- DARTNet Institute, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jill Alai
- American Academy of Family Physicians, Leawood, KS, USA
- DARTNet Institute, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - David W Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Lenard A Adler
- Departments of Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen V Faraone
- Departments of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
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Fowler K, Mayock P, Byrne E, Bennett K, Sexton E. "Coming home was a disaster, I didn't know what was going to happen": a qualitative study of survivors' and family members' experiences of navigating care post-stroke. Disabil Rehabil 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38265039 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2303368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Understanding navigational barriers and facilitators has the potential to advance equitable stroke care delivery. The aim of this study was to explore, using a qualitative study, the experiences of stroke survivors and their families as they journey through the stroke care system, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 stroke survivors and 12 family members during 2021 and 2022. Participants were recruited through voluntary organisations, social media, and stroke support groups. Data analysis followed a systematic process guided by the framework method with steps including familiarisation, coding, framework development, and charting and interpretation. RESULTS The experiences of navigating stroke care were particularly challenging following discharge from hospital into the community. Barriers to stroke care continuity included insufficient appropriate services and information, unsatisfactory relationships with healthcare professionals and distressed mental health. There were particular navigational challenges for survivors with aphasia. Facilitators to effective navigation included having prior knowledge of the health system, harnessing support for care co-ordination, and being persistent. CONCLUSION Greater support for patient navigation, and person-centred referral pathways, particularly during times of increased pressure on the system, have the potential to improve access to services and wellbeing among stroke survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Fowler
- School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paula Mayock
- School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elaine Byrne
- Centre for Positive Health Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kathleen Bennett
- School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eithne Sexton
- School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
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Doherty M, Thom B, Gardner DS. Administrative Burden Associated with Cost-Related Delays in Care in U.S. Cancer Patients. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023; 32:1583-1590. [PMID: 37644659 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-23-0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND U.S. cancer patients engage in administrative tasks to pay for their healthcare. This study investigated the relationship between payment tasks and timely access to cancer care. METHODS We analyzed online survey data from 510 U.S. cancer patients and survivors to understand the relationship between administrative payment tasks and cost-related delays and nonadherence. Two-part modelling was used to determine if, and to what extent, there was a relationship between administrative burden and cost-related delays/nonadherence. RESULTS Younger patients (≤44 years) reported more payment tasks and cost-related delays/nonadherence than older patients (≥ 55 years); African American patients reported more payment tasks and cost-related delays/nonadherence than white patients. After accounting for age, race/ethnicity, education, and out-of-pocket costs, patients who reported engaging in more tasks had greater log odds of delaying/forgoing care [b = 0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12-0.24]. Cost-related delays/nonadherence increased by 32% for every unit increase in administrative payment burden (b = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.18-0.46). CONCLUSIONS Administrative payment burden increased the odds of cost-related delays and nonadherence by 49%, taking the form of delayed or skipped doctor appointments, tests and bloodwork, and prescription fulfillment. Younger patients and those identifying as African American were more likely to engage in payment tasks and to delay or forgo care due to cost. Administrative burdens can disrupt access to care and traditionally underserved patient populations are disproportionately exposed to these hardships. IMPACT Reducing the complexity of healthcare through universal, human-centered design could reduce burdens and increase access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith Doherty
- School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Bridgette Thom
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Affordability Working Group, New York, New York
| | - Daniel S Gardner
- Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York
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Vasan A, Kyle MA, Venkataramani AS, Kenyon CC, Fiks AG. Inequities in Time Spent Coordinating Care for Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs. Acad Pediatr 2023; 23:1526-1534. [PMID: 36918094 PMCID: PMC10495536 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In the United States, caregivers of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) must navigate complex, inefficient health care and insurance systems to access medical care. We assessed for sociodemographic inequities in time spent coordinating care for CYSHCN and examined the association between time spent coordinating care and forgone medical care. METHODS This cross-sectional study used data from the 2018-2020 National Survey of Children's Health, which included 102,740 children across all 50 states. We described the time spent coordinating care for children with less complex special health care needs (SHCN) (managed through medications) and more complex SHCN (resulting in functional limitations or requiring specialized therapies). We examined race-, ethnicity-, income-, and insurance-based differences in time spent coordinating care among CYSHCN and used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between time spent coordinating care and forgone medical care. RESULTS Over 40% of caregivers of children with more complex SHCN reported spending time coordinating their children's care each week. CYSHCN whose caregivers spent ≥ 5 h/wk on care coordination were disproportionately Hispanic, low-income, and publicly insured or uninsured. Increased time spent coordinating care was associated with an increasing probability of forgone medical care: 6.7% for children whose caregivers spent no weekly time coordinating care versus 9.4% for< 1 hour; 11.4% for 1 to 4 hours; and 15.8% for ≥ 5 hours. CONCLUSIONS Reducing time spent coordinating care and providing additional support to low-income and minoritized caregivers may be beneficial for pediatric payers, policymakers, and health systems aiming to promote equitable access to health care for CYSHCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Vasan
- Department of Pediatrics (A Vasan, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa; PolicyLab and Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness (A Vasan, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pa; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (A Vasan, AS Venkataramani, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
| | - Michael Anne Kyle
- Department of Health Care Policy (MA Kyle), Harvard Medical School and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Mass.
| | - Atheendar S Venkataramani
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (A Vasan, AS Venkataramani, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa; Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy (AS Venkataramani), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Calif.
| | - Chén C Kenyon
- Department of Pediatrics (A Vasan, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa; PolicyLab and Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness (A Vasan, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pa; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (A Vasan, AS Venkataramani, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
| | - Alexander G Fiks
- Department of Pediatrics (A Vasan, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa; PolicyLab and Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness (A Vasan, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pa; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (A Vasan, AS Venkataramani, CC Kenyon, and AG Fiks), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
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Petermann VM, Biddell CB, Planey AM, Spees LP, Rosenstein DL, Manning M, Gellin M, Padilla N, Samuel-Ryals CA, Birken SA, Reeder-Hayes K, Deal AM, Cabarrus K, Bell RA, Strom C, Young TH, King S, Leutner B, Vestal D, Wheeler SB. Assessing the pre-implementation context for financial navigation in rural and non-rural oncology clinics. FRONTIERS IN HEALTH SERVICES 2023; 3:1148887. [PMID: 37941608 PMCID: PMC10627810 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2023.1148887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Financial navigation (FN) is an evidence-based intervention designed to address financial toxicity for cancer patients. FN's success depends on organizations' readiness to implement and other factors that may hinder or support implementation. Tailored implementation strategies can support practice change but must be matched to the implementation context. We assessed perceptions of readiness and perceived barriers and facilitators to successful implementation among staff at nine cancer care organizations (5 rural, 4 non-rural) recruited to participate in the scale-up of a FN intervention. To understand differences in the pre-implementation context and inform modifications to implementation strategies, we compared findings between rural and non-rural organizations. Methods We conducted surveys (n = 78) and in-depth interviews (n = 73) with staff at each organization. We assessed perceptions of readiness using the Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change (ORIC) scale. In-depth interviews elicited perceived barriers and facilitators to implementing FN in each context. We used descriptive statistics to analyze ORIC results and deductive thematic analysis, employing a codebook guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), to synthesize themes in barriers and facilitators across sites, and by rurality. Results Results from the ORIC scale indicated strong perceptions of organizational readiness across all sites. Staff from rural areas reported greater confidence in their ability to manage the politics of change (87% rural, 76% non-rural) and in their organization's ability to support staff adjusting to the change (96% rural, 75% non-rural). Staff at both rural and non-rural sites highlighted factors reflective of the Intervention Characteristics (relative advantage) and Implementation Climate (compatibility and tension for change) domains as facilitators. Although few barriers to implementation were reported, differences arose between rural and non-rural sites in these perceived barriers, with non-rural staff more often raising concerns about resistance to change and compatibility with existing work processes and rural staff more often raising concerns about competing time demands and limited resources. Conclusions Staff across both rural and non-rural settings identified few, but different, barriers to implementing a novel FN intervention that they perceived as important and responsive to patients' needs. These findings can inform how strategies are tailored to support FN in diverse oncology practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria M. Petermann
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Caitlin B. Biddell
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Arrianna Marie Planey
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Lisa P. Spees
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Donald L. Rosenstein
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Michelle Manning
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Mindy Gellin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Neda Padilla
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Cleo A. Samuel-Ryals
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sarah A. Birken
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Katherine Reeder-Hayes
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Division of Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Allison M. Deal
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Kendrel Cabarrus
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ronny A. Bell
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Carla Strom
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Tiffany H. Young
- Buddy Kemp Support Center, Novant Health Cancer Institute, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Sherry King
- Carteret Health Care Cancer Center, Carteret, NC, United States
| | - Brian Leutner
- Pardee UNC Health Care, Hendersonville, NC, United States
| | - Derek Vestal
- UNC Lenoir Health Care, Kinston, NC, United States
| | - Stephanie B. Wheeler
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Holmgren AJ, Esdar M, Hüsers J, Coutinho-Almeida J. Health Information Exchange: Understanding the Policy Landscape and Future of Data Interoperability. Yearb Med Inform 2023; 32:184-194. [PMID: 37414031 PMCID: PMC10751121 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To review recent literature on health information exchange (HIE), focusing on the policy approach of five case study nations: the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, and Portugal, as well as synthesize lessons learned across countries and provide recommendations for future research. METHODS A narrative review of each nation's HIE policy frameworks, current state, and future HIE strategy. RESULTS Key themes that emerged include the importance of both central decision-making as well as local innovation, the multiple and complex challenges of broad HIE adoption, and the varying role of HIE across different national health system structures. CONCLUSION HIE is an increasingly important capability and policy priority as electronic health record (EHR) adoption becomes more common and care delivery is increasingly digitized. While all five case study nations have adopted some level of HIE, there are significant differences across their level of data sharing infrastructure and maturity, and each nation took a different policy approach. While identifying generalizable strategies across disparate international systems is challenging, there are several common themes across successful HIE policy frameworks, such as the importance of central government prioritization of data sharing. Finally, we make several recommendations for future research to expand the breadth and depth of the literature on HIE and guide future decision-making by policymakers and practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Moritz Esdar
- University of Applied Sciences Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Jens Hüsers
- University of Applied Sciences Osnabrueck, Germany
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Kyle MA, Dusetzina SB, Keating NL. Utilization Management Trends in Medicare Part D Oncology Drugs, 2010-2020. JAMA 2023; 330:278-280. [PMID: 37462712 PMCID: PMC10354675 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.10753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the exposure of Medicare Part D beneficiaries to utilization management, such as prior authorization, for oral oncology drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Anne Kyle
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stacie B Dusetzina
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Nancy L Keating
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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15
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Doherty M, Jacoby J, Copeland A, Mangir C, Hodzic RK, Cadet TJ. Building Organizational Capacity to Deliver Oncology Financial Advocacy. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY NAVIGATION & SURVIVORSHIP 2023; 14:203-210. [PMID: 37614869 PMCID: PMC10443934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Cancer-related financial hardship is linked to poor health outcomes and early mortality. Oncology financial advocacy (OFA) aims to prevent cancer-related financial hardship in oncology settings by assessing patients' needs and connecting them to available financial resources. Despite promising evidence, OFA remains underutilized. Objectives Describe oncology financial advocates' perceptions about the challenges to and opportunities for implementing oncology financial advocacy (OFA) in community cancer centers. Methods Nine virtual focus groups were conducted with 45 oncology financial advocates. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using template-based thematic analysis informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR); two study team members coded each transcript and all six team members identified emergent themes. Results Salient themes were identified across all five domains of the CFIR framework: (1) intervention characteristics: participants described challenges of adapting OFA to meet the needs of the medical system instead of needs of the patients; (2) outer setting: growing awareness of health and cancer disparities could bring more attention to and investment in OFA; (3) inner setting: programs are under-resourced to assist all at-risk patients, staffing, technology integration, and network/communication workflows are needed; (4) characteristics of individuals: advocates believe strongly in the effectiveness and would like to see their credibility enhanced with professional certification; (5) process: implementation strategies that target the engagement of leadership, key stakeholders, and patients to increase program reach are needed. Conclusions OFA cannot reach all at-risk patients because of understaffing, poor communication between departments, and a lack of understanding OFA as an intervention among colleagues, key stakeholders, and patients. To reach full implementation, advocates need assistance in making the case for more resources, research on patient outcomes, professional certification, and the use of policy to incentivize financial advocacy as a standard of care in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith Doherty
- School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Jessica Jacoby
- School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | - Tamara J. Cadet
- School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania
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16
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Hare AJ, Soegaard Ballester JM, Gabriel PE, Adusumalli S, Hanson CW. Training digital natives to transform healthcare: a 5-tiered approach for integrating clinical informatics into undergraduate medical education. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2022; 30:139-143. [PMID: 36323268 PMCID: PMC9748535 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocac209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansive growth in the use of health information technology (HIT) has dramatically altered medicine without translating to fully realized improvements in healthcare delivery. Bridging this divide will require healthcare professionals with all levels of expertise in clinical informatics. However, due to scarce opportunities for exposure and training in informatics, medical students remain an underdeveloped source of potential informaticists. To address this gap, our institution developed and implemented a 5-tiered clinical informatics curriculum at the undergraduate medical education level: (1) a practical orientation to HIT for rising clerkship students; (2) an elective for junior students; (3) an elective for senior students; (4) a longitudinal area of concentration; and (5) a yearlong predoctoral fellowship in operational informatics at the health system level. Most students found these offerings valuable for their training and professional development. We share lessons and recommendations for medical schools and health systems looking to implement similar opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison J Hare
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Office of the Chief Medical Information Officer, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Applied Health Informatics, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jacqueline M Soegaard Ballester
- Center for Applied Health Informatics, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Surgery, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peter E Gabriel
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Srinath Adusumalli
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Office of the Chief Medical Information Officer, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Applied Health Informatics, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- CVS Health Corporation, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA
| | - C William Hanson
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Office of the Chief Medical Information Officer, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Applied Health Informatics, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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17
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Franck LS, Gay CL, Hoffmann TJ, Kriz RM, Bisgaard R, Cormier DM, Joe P, Lothe B, Sun Y. Neonatal outcomes from a quasi-experimental clinical trial of Family Integrated Care versus Family-Centered Care for preterm infants in U.S. NICUs. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:674. [PMID: 36418988 PMCID: PMC9682629 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03732-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family Integrated Care (FICare) benefits preterm infants compared with Family-Centered Care (FCC), but research is lacking in United States (US) Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). The outcomes for infants of implementing FICare in the US are unknown given differences in parental leave benefits and health care delivery between the US and other countries where FICare is used. We compared preterm weight and discharge outcomes between FCC and mobile-enhanced FICare (mFICare) in the US. METHODS In this quasi-experimental study, we enrolled preterm infant (≤ 33 weeks)/parent dyads from 3 NICUs into sequential cohorts: FCC or mFICare. Our primary outcome was 21-day change in weight z-scores. Our secondary outcomes were nosocomial infection, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and human milk feeding (HMF) at discharge. We used intention-to-treat analyses to examine the effect of the FCC and mFICare models overall and per protocol analyses to examine the effects of the mFICare intervention components. FINDINGS 253 infant/parent dyads participated (141 FCC; 112 mFICare). There were no parent-related adverse events in either group. In intention-to-treat analyses, we found no group differences in weight, ROP, BPD or HMF. The FCC cohort had 2.6-times (95% CI: 1.0, 6.7) higher odds of nosocomial infection than the mFICare cohort. In per-protocol analyses, we found that infants whose parents did not receive parent mentoring or participate in rounds lost more weight relative to age-based norms (group-difference=-0.128, CI: -0.227, -0.030; group-difference=-0.084, CI: -0.154, -0.015, respectively). Infants whose parents did not participate in rounds or group education had 2.9-times (CI: 1.0, 9.1) and 3.8-times (CI: 1.2, 14.3) higher odds of nosocomial infection, respectively. CONCLUSION We found indications that mFICare may have direct benefits on infant outcomes such as weight gain and nosocomial infection. Future studies using implementation science designs are needed to optimize intervention delivery and determine acute and long-term infant and family outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03418870 01/02/2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda S. Franck
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Box 0606, 2 Koret Way, N411F, CA 94143 San Francisco, USA
| | - Caryl L. Gay
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Box 0606, 2 Koret Way, N411F, CA 94143 San Francisco, USA
| | - Thomas J. Hoffmann
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Office of Research, School of Nursing, UCSF, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Rebecca M. Kriz
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Box 0606, 2 Koret Way, N411F, CA 94143 San Francisco, USA
| | - Robin Bisgaard
- grid.414016.60000 0004 0433 7727Intensive Care Nursery, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Diana M. Cormier
- grid.413544.30000 0004 0439 7252NICU and Pediatrics, Community Regional Medical Center, Fresno, CA USA
| | - Priscilla Joe
- grid.414016.60000 0004 0433 7727Division of Neonatology, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA USA
| | | | - Yao Sun
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA USA
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18
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Gaffney AW. A Medical and Moral Imperative: Testimony for the U.S. Senate Budget Committee "Medicare for All" Hearing. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH SERVICES : PLANNING, ADMINISTRATION, EVALUATION 2022; 52:492-500. [PMID: 36052410 DOI: 10.1177/00207314221122650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
On May 12, 2022, Senator Bernie Sanders held a hearing in the U.S. Senate Budget Committee on Medicare for All legislation. These were the first such hearings in the U.S. Senate. In testimony presented to the Budget Committee, I argued that the achievement of Medicare for All was a medical and moral imperative. I explored the problem of uninsurance, noting that 30 million Americans remain uninsured at a cost of more than 30,000 deaths annually. I contended that improving the quality of coverage was equally crucial, describing how some 41 million Americans remain underinsured at a grave cost to their health and financial wellbeing. Finally, I examined the economics of Medicare for All reform, and showed how the reduction of the enormous administrative waste in American healthcare could save hundreds of billions of dollars a year. Medicare for All, I concluded, is the one health reform that could expand and improve coverage for all while simultaneously controlling costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam W Gaffney
- 2193Department of Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- 1811Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
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19
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Burch AE. Factors responsible for healthcare avoidance among rural adults in the Eastern Region of North Carolina. J Community Health 2022; 47:737-744. [PMID: 35675005 PMCID: PMC9174619 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-022-01106-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Herd P, Moynihan D. Health care administrative burdens: Centering patient experiences. Health Serv Res 2021; 56:751-754. [PMID: 34515996 PMCID: PMC8522557 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.13858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Herd
- McCourt School of Public PolicyGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Donald Moynihan
- McCourt School of Public PolicyGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
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21
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Kyle MA, Frakt AB. Patient administrative burden in the US health care system. Health Serv Res 2021; 56:755-765. [PMID: 34498259 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.13861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of patient administrative tasks and whether they are associated with delayed and/or foregone care. DATA SOURCE March 2019 Health Reform Monitoring Survey. STUDY DESIGN We assess the prevalence of five common patient administrative tasks-scheduling, obtaining information, prior authorizations, resolving billing issues, and resolving premium problems-and associated administrative burden, defined as delayed and/or foregone care. Using multivariate logistic models, we examined the association of demographic characteristics with odds of doing tasks and experiencing burdens. Our outcome variables were five common types of administrative tasks as well as composite measures of any task, any delayed care, any foregone care, and any burden (combined delayed/foregone), respectively. DATA COLLECTION We developed and administered survey questions to a nationally representative sample of insured, nonelderly adults (n = 4155). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The survey completion rate was 62%. Seventy-three percent of respondents reported performing at least one administrative task in the past year. About one in three task-doers, or 24.4% of respondents overall, reported delayed or foregone care due to an administrative task: Adjusted for demographics, disability status had the strongest association with administrative tasks (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.91, p < 0.001) and burden (adjusted OR 1.66, p < 0.001). Being a woman was associated with doing administrative tasks (adjusted OR 2.19, p < 0.001). Being a college graduate was associated with performing an administrative task (adjusted OR 2.79, p < 0.001), while higher income was associated with fewer subsequent burdens (adjusted OR 0.55, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Patients frequently do administrative tasks that can create burdens resulting in delayed/foregone care. The prevalence of delayed/foregone care due to administrative tasks is comparable to similar estimates of cost-related barriers to care. Demographic disparities in burden warrant further attention. Enhancing measurement of patient administrative work and associated burdens may identify opportunities for assessing quality, value, and patient experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Anne Kyle
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Austin B Frakt
- Boston VA Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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