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Park S, Werner RM, Coe NB. Racial and ethnic disparities in access to and enrollment in high-quality Medicare Advantage plans. Health Serv Res 2023; 58:303-313. [PMID: 35342936 PMCID: PMC10012240 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.13977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Racial and ethnic minority enrollees in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans tend to be in lower-quality plans, measured by a 5-star quality rating system. We examine whether differential access to high-rated plans was associated with this differential enrollment in high-rated plans by race and ethnicity among MA enrollees. DATA SOURCES The Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary File and MA Landscape File for 2016. STUDY DESIGN We first examined county-level MA plan offerings by race and ethnicity. We then examined the association of racial and ethnic differences in enrollment by star rating by controlling for the following different sets of covariates: (1) individual-level characteristics only, and (2) individual-level characteristics and county-level MA plan offerings. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS Not applicable PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Racial and ethnic minority enrollees had, on average, more MA plans available in their counties of residence compared to White enrollees (16.1, 20.8, 20.2, vs. 15.1 for Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and White enrollees), but had fewer number of high-rated plans (4-star plans or higher) and/or more number of low-rated plans (3.5-star plans or lower). While racial and ethnic minority enrollees had lower enrollment in 4-4.5 star plans than White enrollees, this difference substantially decreased after accounting for county-level MA plan offerings (-9.1 to -0.5 percentage points for Black enrollees, -15.9 to -5.0 percentage points for Asian/Pacific Islander enrollees, and -12.7 to 0.6 percentage points for Hispanic enrollees). Results for Black enrollees were notable as the racial difference reversed when we limited the analysis to those who live in counties that offer a 5-star plan. After accounting for county-level MA plan offerings, Black enrollees had 3.2 percentage points higher enrollment in 5-star plans than White enrollees. CONCLUSIONS Differences in enrollment in high-rated MA plans by race and ethnicity may be explained by limited access and not by individual characteristics or enrollment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungchul Park
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Dornsife School of Public HealthDrexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of Health Convergence, College of Science and Industry ConvergenceEwha Womans UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Rachel M. Werner
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health EconomicsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Center for Health Equity Research and PromotionCorporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical CenterPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Norma B. Coe
- Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
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Schneberk T, Bolshakova M, Sloan K, Chang E, Stal J, Dinalo J, Jimenez E, Motala A, Hempel S. Quality Indicators for High-Need Patients: a Systematic Review. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:3147-3161. [PMID: 35260956 PMCID: PMC9485370 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07454-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare systems are increasingly implementing programs for high-need patients, who often have multiple chronic conditions and complex social situations. Little, however, is known about quality indicators that might guide healthcare organizations and providers in improving care for high-need patients. We sought to conduct a systematic review to identify potential quality indicators for high-need patients. METHODS This systematic review (CRD42020215917) searched PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE; guideline clearing houses ECRI and GIN; and Google scholar. We included publications suggesting, evaluating, and utilizing indicators to assess quality of care for high-need patients. Critical appraisal of the indicators addressed the development process, endorsement and adoption, and characteristics, such as feasibility. We standardized indicators by patient population subgroups to facilitate comparisons across different indicator groups. RESULTS The search identified 6964 citations. Of these, 1382 publications were obtained as full text, and 53 studies met inclusion criteria. We identified over 1700 quality indicators across studies. Quality indicator characteristics varied widely. The scope of the selected indicators ranged from detailed criterion (e.g., "annual eye exam") to very broad categories (e.g., "care coordination"). Some publications suggested disease condition-specific indicators (e.g., diabetes), some used condition-independent criteria (e.g., "documentation of the medication list in the medical record available to all care agencies"), and some publications used a mixture of indicator types. DISCUSSION We identified and evaluated existing quality indicators for a complex, heterogeneous patient group. Although some quality indicators were not disease-specific, we found very few that accounted for social determinants of health and behavioral factors. More research is needed to develop quality indicators that address patient risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd Schneberk
- Gehr Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, GNH 1011, 1200 N State Street Rm 1011, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| | - Maria Bolshakova
- Southern California Evidence Review Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kylie Sloan
- Southern California Evidence Review Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Evelyn Chang
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Sepulveda, CA, USA
| | - Julia Stal
- Southern California Evidence Review Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Dinalo
- Southern California Evidence Review Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elvira Jimenez
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Sepulveda, CA, USA
| | - Aneesa Motala
- Gehr Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, GNH 1011, 1200 N State Street Rm 1011, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Southern California Evidence Review Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Susanne Hempel
- Gehr Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, GNH 1011, 1200 N State Street Rm 1011, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Southern California Evidence Review Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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