1
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Johnson KJ, Brown DS, O'Connell CP, Thompson T, Barnes JM, King AA. Associations between Medicaid enrollment and diagnosis stage and survival among pediatric cancer patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30861. [PMID: 38235939 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medicaid-associated disparities in childhood and adolescent (pediatric) cancer diagnosis stage and survival have been reported. However, a key limitation of prior studies is the assessment of health insurance at a single time point. To evaluate Medicaid-associated disparities more robustly, we used Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicaid linked data to examine diagnosis stage and survival disparities in those (i) Medicaid-enrolled and (ii) with discontinuous and continuous Medicaid enrollment. METHODS SEER-Medicaid linked data from 2006 to 2013 were obtained on cases diagnosed from 0 to 19 years. Medicaid enrollment was classified as enrolled versus not enrolled, with further classifications as continuous when enrolled 6 months before through 6 months after diagnosis, and discontinuous when not enrolled continuously for this period. We used multinomial logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models to determine associations between enrollment measures, diagnosis stage, and cancer death adjusted for covariates. RESULTS Among 21,502 cases, a higher odds of distant stage diagnoses were observed in association with Medicaid enrollment (odds ratio [OR] = 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48-1.65), with the highest odds for discontinuous enrollment (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.86-2.15). Among 30,654 cases, any Medicaid enrollment, continuous enrollment, and discontinuous enrollment were associated with 1.68 (95% CI: 1.35-2.10), 1.66 (95% CI: 1.35-2.05), and 1.89 (95% CI: 1.54-2.33) times higher hazards of cancer death versus no enrollment, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Medicaid enrollment, particularly discontinuous enrollment, is associated with a higher distant stage diagnosis odds and risk of death. This study supports the critical need for consistent health insurance coverage in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Johnson
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Derek S Brown
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Tess Thompson
- School of Social Work, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Justin M Barnes
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Allison A King
- Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Pediatrics Hematology/Oncology, St. Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Wisniewski JM, Walker B, Patlola I, Sharma R, Tinkler S. Disparities in access to appointments for contraceptive services among Black, Hispanic, White, and recently incarcerated women in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Health Serv Res 2024; 59:e14275. [PMID: 38233334 PMCID: PMC10915479 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To measure differences in access to contraceptive services based on history of incarceration and its intersections with race/ethnicity and insurance status. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING Primary data were collected from telephone calls to physician offices in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi in 2021. STUDY DESIGN We deployed a field experiment. The outcome variables were appointment offers, wait days, and questions asked of the caller. The independent variables were callers' incarceration history, race/ethnicity, and insurance. DATA COLLECTION METHODS Using standardized scripts, Black, Hispanic, and White female research assistants called actively licensed primary care physicians and Obstetrician/Gynecologists asking for the next available appointment for a contraception prescription. Physicians were randomly selected and randomly assigned to callers. In half of calls, callers mentioned recent incarceration. We also varied insurance status. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Appointment offer rates were five percentage points lower (95% CI: -0.10 to 0.01) for patients with a history of incarceration and 11 percentage points lower (95% CI: -0.15 to -0.06) for those with Medicaid. We did not find significant differences in appointment offer rates or wait days when incarceration status was interacted with race or insurance. Schedulers asked questions about insurance significantly more often to recently incarcerated Black patients and recently incarcerated patients who had Medicaid. CONCLUSIONS Women with a history of incarceration have less access to medical appointments; this access did not vary by race or insurance status among women with a history of incarceration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna M. Wisniewski
- Department of International Health and Sustainable DevelopmentTulane University School of Public Health and Tropical MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Brigham Walker
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementTulane University School of Public Health and Tropical MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Isha Patlola
- Newcomb‐Tulane College, Tulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Rajiv Sharma
- Department of EconomicsPortland State UniversityPortlandOregonUSA
| | - Sarah Tinkler
- Department of EconomicsPortland State UniversityPortlandOregonUSA
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Sedghi T, Gronbeck C, Aiudi DA, Grant-Kels JM. Assessing the ethics of prior authorization denials and step therapy policies in dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol 2024; 90:877-878. [PMID: 36822353 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tannaz Sedghi
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Christian Gronbeck
- Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Donna A Aiudi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Jane M Grant-Kels
- Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut; Department of Dermatology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.
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Ly S, Manjaly P, Kamal K, Theodosakis N, Charrow A, Mostaghimi A. Insurance coverage among the largest insurers per state for laser hair removal in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa. J Am Acad Dermatol 2024; 90:859-862. [PMID: 38128832 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Ly
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Priya Manjaly
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kanika Kamal
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nicholas Theodosakis
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alexandra Charrow
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Arash Mostaghimi
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts.
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5
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Fernandez JM, Evans TD, Schissel M, Siller A, Wei EX, Wysong A. Racial and ethnic differences in time to definitive surgery for melanoma: A retrospective study from the National Cancer Database. J Am Acad Dermatol 2024; 90:829-831. [PMID: 38042414 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.11.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Fernandez
- Department of Dermatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Tyler D Evans
- Department of Dermatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Makayla Schissel
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Alfredo Siller
- Department of Dermatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Erin X Wei
- Department of Dermatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Ashley Wysong
- Department of Dermatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
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Hunt TN, Roberts K, Taylor EM, Quintana CP, Kossman MK. The Effect of Social Determinants of Health on Clinical Recovery Following Concussion: A Systematic Review. J Sport Rehabil 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38508176 DOI: 10.1123/jsr.2023-0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Concussion evaluations include a multifaceted approach; however, individual differences can influence test score interpretations and validity. Social determinants of health (SDoH) differentially affect disease risk and outcomes based upon social and environmental characteristics. Efforts to better define, diagnose, manage, and treat concussion have increased, but minimal efforts have focused on examining SDoH that may affect concussion recovery. OBJECTIVE This review examined previous research that examined the effect of SDoH on concussion recovery of athletes. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and SPORTDiscus databases were used to search the terms "concussion" AND "recovery," "youth, adolescent, teen and/or adult," and "social determinants of health" and variations of these terms. The evidence level for each study was evaluated using the 2011 Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine Guide. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Seven thousand nine hundred and twenty-one articles were identified and screened for inclusion. Five studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. Using the Downs and Black Quality Index, the studies included in this review were deemed high quality. CONCLUSION Though limited literature exists, there is preliminary evidence to suggest that SDoH (specifically, economic stability, education access and quality, and social and community context) may have an impact on the clinical recovery from concussion. The dimensions evaluated varied between studies and the results were inconsistent. No single factor consistently affected clinical recovery; however, private insurance and race appear to have an association with the speed of recovery. Unfortunately, the potential intersection of these variables and other preinjury factors limits the ability to make clear recommendations. While most of the studies in this review are retrospective in nature, future efforts should focus on training clinicians to prospectively evaluate the effect of SDoH on concussion recovery and injury outcomes. Funding and registration for this systematic review were not obtained nor required.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Erica M Taylor
- Columbus State University, Columbus, GA, USA
- The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, KS, USA
| | - Carolina P Quintana
- The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, KS, USA
- The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Melissa K Kossman
- Columbus State University, Columbus, GA, USA
- The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
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Tang SH, Min J, Zhang X, Uwah E, Griffis HM, Cielo CM, Fiks AG, Mindell JA, Tapia IE, Williamson AA. Incidence of pediatric narcolepsy diagnosis and management: evidence from claims data. J Clin Sleep Med 2024. [PMID: 38450539 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.11104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES To characterize the incidence of pediatric narcolepsy diagnosis, subsequent care, and potential sociodemographic disparities in a large US claims database. METHODS Merative MarketScan insurance claims (n=12,394,902) were used to identify youth (6-17 years) newly diagnosed with narcolepsy (ICD-10 codes). Narcolepsy diagnosis and care 1-year post-diagnosis included polysomnography (PSG) with Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), pharmacological care, and clinical visits. Potential disparities were examined by insurance coverage and child race and ethnicity (Medicaid-insured only). RESULTS The incidence of narcolepsy diagnosis was 10:100,000, primarily type 2 (69.9%). Most diagnoses occurred in adolescents with no sex differences, but higher rates in Black versus White youth with Medicaid. Two-thirds had a prior sleep disorder diagnosis and 21-36% had other co-occurring diagnoses. Only half (46.6%) had a PSG with MSLT (± 1-year post-diagnosis). Specialty care (18.9% pulmonary, 26.9% neurology) and behavioral health visits were rare (34.4%), although half were prescribed stimulant medications (51.0%). Medicaid-insured were 86% less likely than commercially insured youth to have any clinical care and 33% less likely to have a PSG with MSLT. CONCLUSIONS Narcolepsy diagnoses occurred in 0.01% of youth, primarily during adolescence, and at higher rates for Black versus White children with Medicaid. Only half had evidence of a diagnostically required PSG with MSLT, underscoring potential misdiagnosis. Many patients had co-occurring conditions, but specialty and behavioral health care were limited. Results suggest misdiagnosis, underdiagnosis, and limited narcolepsy treatment, as well as possible insurance-related disparities. Results highlight the need to identify determinants of evidence-based pediatric narcolepsy diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Hao Tang
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jungwon Min
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | | | - Christopher M Cielo
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Alexander G Fiks
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jodi A Mindell
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
- University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Ignacio E Tapia
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
- University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Ariel A Williamson
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
- The Ballmer Institute, University of Oregon, Portland, OR
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8
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Albana MF, Chayes DR, Abuattieh OM, Radcliff KE. Microdiscectomy Insurance Medical Necessity Criteria Are Inconsistent and Unnecessarily Restrictive. Int J Spine Surg 2024; 18:1-8. [PMID: 37402507 DOI: 10.14444/8521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microdiscectomy for patients with chronic lumbar radiculopathy refractory to conservative therapy has significantly better outcomes than continued nonoperative management. The North American Spine Society (NASS) outlined specific criteria to establish medical necessity for elective lumbar microdiscectomy. We hypothesized that insurance providers have substantial variability among one another and from the NASS guidelines. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of US national and local insurance companies was conducted to assess policies on coverage recommendations for lumbar microdiscectomy. Insurers were selected based on their enrollment data and market share of direct written premiums. The top 4 national insurance providers and the top 3 state-specific providers in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania were selected. Insurance coverage guidelines were accessed through a web-based search, provider account, or telephone call to the specific provider. If no policy was provided, it was documented as such. Preapproval criteria were entered as categorical variables and consolidated into 4 main categories: symptom criteria, examination criteria, imaging criteria, and conservative treatment. RESULTS The 13 selected insurers composed roughly 31% of the market share in the United States and approximately 82%, 62%, and 76% of the market share for New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, respectively. Insurance descriptions of symptom criteria, imaging criteria, and the definition of conservative treatment had substantial differences as compared with those defined by NASS. CONCLUSION Although a guideline to establish medical necessity was developed by NASS, many insurance companies have created their own guidelines, which have resulted in inconsistent management based on geographic location and selected provider. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Providers must be cognizant of the differing preapproval criteria needed for each in-network insurance company in order to provide effective and efficient care for patients with lumbar radiculopathy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed F Albana
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inspira Health, Vineland, NJ, USA
| | - Dylan R Chayes
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inspira Health, Vineland, NJ, USA
| | - Omar M Abuattieh
- Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Kris E Radcliff
- Spinal Disc Institute, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Somers Point, NJ, USA
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9
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Shah E, Eswaran S, Harer K, Lee A, Nojkov B, Singh P, Chey WD. Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation for adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome: Cost-benefit and cost-minimization analysis. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2024; 78:608-613. [PMID: 38284690 PMCID: PMC10954403 DOI: 10.1002/jpn3.12118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Abdominal pain drives significant cost for adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We performed an economic analysis to estimate cost-savings for patients' families and healthcare insurance, and health outcomes, based on abdominal pain improvement with percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS) with IB-Stim® (Neuraxis). We constructed a Markov model with a 1-year time horizon comparing outcomes and costs with PENFS versus usual care without PENFS. Clinical outcomes were derived from a sham-controlled double-blind trial of PENFS for adolescents with IBS. Costs/work-productivity impact for parents were derived from appropriate observational cohorts. PENFS was associated with 18 added healthy days over 1 year of follow-up, increased annual parental wages of $5,802 due to fewer missed work days to care for the child, and $4744 in cost-savings to insurance. Percutaneous electrical field nerve stimulation for adolescents with IBS appears to yield significant cost-savings to patients' families and insurance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Shah
- Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | | | - Allen Lee
- Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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10
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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11
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Roszell K, Shumer D, Orringer J, Wang F. Limited health insurance coverage of injectable neurotoxins and fillers for gender affirmation: a cross-sectional study of Affordable Care Act silver and Medicaid plans. Int J Womens Dermatol 2024; 10:e126. [PMID: 38313363 PMCID: PMC10836869 DOI: 10.1097/jw9.0000000000000126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Injectable neurotoxins and fillers are potential options for facial gender affirmation for transgender/nonbinary patients. However, the largest barrier to access is cost/insurance coverage. Objective The purpose of this article is to assess the extent to which Affordable Care Act (ACA) silver plans and Medicaid policies cover gender-affirming injectable neurotoxin and filler procedures. Methods A cross-sectional study of all ACA silver plans and Medicaid policies was performed from June 22 to August 15, 2021. Plan-specific certificates of coverage, clinical policies of insurance providers, and Medicaid documents were evaluated. Results A total of 915 plans were reviewed (864 ACA silver plans and all 51 Medicaid policies). None potentially covered neurotoxins. Only 72 (71 ACA and 1 Medicaid) potentially covered fillers, specifically collagen injections and lipofilling. Coverage required demonstration of medical necessity or significant variation of physical appearance from the patient's experienced gender. However, of the 71 ACA plans, 69 outlined cosmetic exclusions, possibly nullifying this coverage. Limitations Data were sourced from publicly available online information in 2021. Additionally, we were unable to confirm explicit coverage of these procedures with insurance companies. Conclusion The majority of ACA silver and Medicaid plans did not cover gender-affirming neurotoxin or filler procedures, limiting access to this gender-affirming care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Roszell
- Department of Dermatology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Daniel Shumer
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jeffrey Orringer
- Department of Dermatology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Frank Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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12
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Mooney JT, Dahl AA, Quinlan MM, Lisenbee J, Yada FN, Shade LE, Buscemi J, Duffecy J. Expand and extend postpartum Medicaid to support maternal and child health. Transl Behav Med 2024:ibae007. [PMID: 38417096 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Most early maternal deaths are preventable, with many occurring within the first year postpartum (we use the terms "maternal" and "mother" broadly to include all individuals who experience pregnancy or postpartum and frame our recognition of need and policy recommendations in gender-neutral terms. To acknowledge limitations inherent in existing policy and the composition of samples in prior research, we use the term "women" when applicable). Black, Hispanic, and Native American individuals are at the most significant risk of pregnancy-related death. They are more commonly covered by Medicaid, highlighting likely contributions of structural racism and consequent social inequities. State-level length and eligibility requirements for postpartum Medicaid vary considerably. Federal policy requires 60 days of Medicaid continuation postpartum, risking healthcare coverage loss during a critical period of heightened morbidity and mortality risk. This policy position paper aims to outline urgent risks to maternal health, detail existing federal and state-level efforts, summarize proposed legislation addressing the issue, and offer policy recommendations for legislative consideration and future study. A team of maternal health researchers and clinicians reviewed and summarized recent research and current policy pertaining to postpartum Medicaid continuation coverage, proposing policy solutions to address this critical issue. Multiple legislative avenues currently exist to support and advance relevant policy to improve and sustain maternal health for those receiving Medicaid during pregnancy, including legislation aligned with the Biden-Harris Maternal Health Blueprint, state-focused options via the American Rescue Plan of 2021 (Public Law 117-2), and recently proposed acts (HR3407, S1542) which were last reintroduced in 2021. Recommendations include (i) reintroducing previously considered legislation requiring states to provide 12 months of continuous postpartum coverage, regardless of pregnancy outcome, and (ii) enacting a revised, permanent federal mandate equalizing Medicaid eligibility across states to ensure consistent access to postpartum healthcare offerings nationwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan T Mooney
- Health Psychology Ph.D. Program, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Alicia A Dahl
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, College of Health and Human Services, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Margaret M Quinlan
- Department of Communication Studies, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Jodie Lisenbee
- Health Psychology Ph.D. Program, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Farida N Yada
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, College of Health and Human Services, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Lindsay E Shade
- Department of Family Medicine Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Atrium Health Elizabeth Family Medicine, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Joanna Buscemi
- Department of Psychology, DePaul University, College of Science and Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jenna Duffecy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Neuropsychiatric Institute, Chicago, IL, USA
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13
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Proudfoot A, Duffy S, Sinclair J, Abbott J, Armour M. A survey of cost, access and outcomes for cannabinoid-based medicinal product use by Australians with endometriosis. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2024. [PMID: 38415783 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
People with endometriosis use cannabis to manage their symptoms. This study aimed to identify costs, modes of administration, product composition, and self-reported effectiveness for those accessing medicinal cannabis in Australia. There were 192 survey responses analysed. Most (63.5%) used a 'cannabis clinic' doctor, incurring an initial consultation cost of $100-$200+ (10.2% Medicare bulk-billed) and median cannabinoid medicine costs of $300AUD per month. Cost was a major barrier to access, necessitating reducing dosage (76.1%) and/or consuming illicit cannabis (42.9%), despite a prescription. Most (77%) medical consumers used two or more cannabis products, with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol predominant oil and flower products most frequently prescribed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Proudfoot
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarah Duffy
- School of Business, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Justin Sinclair
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason Abbott
- School of Clinical Medicine, Health and Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Gynaecological Research and Clinical Evaluation (GRACE) Unit, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Prince of Wales Private Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mike Armour
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ), Wellington, New Zealand
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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14
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Raso J, Kamalapathy P, Solomon E, Driskill E, Kurker K, Joshi A, Hassanzadeh H. Increased Time to Fixation After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Influenced by Race and Insurance Status. Global Spine J 2024:21925682231225175. [PMID: 38317534 DOI: 10.1177/21925682231225175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Retrospective Cohort Study. OBJECTIVES Although the optimal timing of surgical intervention for traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is controversial, early intervention has been recognized as being beneficial in several studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the socioeconomic factors that may delay time to surgical fixation in the management of TSCI. METHODS The present study utilized the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) dataset to identify patients aged greater than 18 undergoing spinal fusion for TSCI from 2007-2016. Patients were divided into subgroups based on race and insurance types. Multivariable linear regression was used to compare time to procedure based on race and payer type while adjusting for demographic and injury-specific factors. Significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS Using multivariable analysis, Hispanic and Black patients were associated with significantly increased time to fixation of 12.1 h (95% CI 5.5-18.7, P < .001), and 20.1 h (95% CI 12.1-28.1, P < .001), respectively compared to White patients. Other cohorts based on racial status did not have significantly different times to fixation (P > .05). Medicaid was associated with an increased time to fixation compared to private insurance (11.6 h, 95% CI 3.9-19.2, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS Black and Hispanic race and Medicaid were associated with statistically significant increases in time to fixation following TSCI, potentially compromising quality of patient care and resulting in poorer outcomes. More research is needed to elucidate this relationship and ensure equitable care is being delivered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Raso
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Pramod Kamalapathy
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Eric Solomon
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Kristina Kurker
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Aditya Joshi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hamid Hassanzadeh
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Bethesda, MD, USA
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15
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Shifman HP, Huang CY, Beck AF, Bucuvalas J, Perito ER, Hsu EK, Ebel NH, Lai JC, Wadhwani SI. Association of state Medicaid expansion policies with pediatric liver transplant outcomes. Am J Transplant 2024; 24:239-249. [PMID: 37776976 PMCID: PMC10843745 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Children from minoritized/socioeconomically deprived backgrounds suffer disproportionately high rates of uninsurance and graft failure/death after liver transplant. Medicaid expansion was developed to expand access to public insurance. Our objective was to characterize the impact of Medicaid expansion policies on long-term graft/patient survival after pediatric liver transplantation. All pediatric patients (<19 years) who received a liver transplant between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2020 in the US were identified in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (N = 8489). Medicaid expansion was modeled as a time-varying exposure based on transplant and expansion dates. We used Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the impact of Medicaid expansion on a composite outcome of graft failure/death over 10 years. As a sensitivity analysis, we conducted an intention-to-treat analysis from time of waitlisting to death (N = 1 1901). In multivariable analysis, Medicaid expansion was associated with a 30% decreased hazard of graft failure/death (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.62, 0.79; P < .001) after adjusting for Black race, public insurance, neighborhood deprivation, and living in a primary care shortage area. In intention-to-treat analyses, Medicaid expansion was associated with a 72% decreased hazard of patient death (hazard ratio, 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.35; P < .001). Policies that enable broader health insurance access may help improve outcomes and reduce disparities for children undergoing liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Payton Shifman
- Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan, USA
| | - Chiung-Yu Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Andrew F Beck
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - John Bucuvalas
- Division of Pediatric Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Division of Pediatric Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, Kravis Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Emily R Perito
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Evelyn K Hsu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Noelle H Ebel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jennifer C Lai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sharad I Wadhwani
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
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16
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Shaltiel T, Sarpel U, Branch AD. The adverse characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma in the non-cirrhotic liver disproportionately disadvantage Black patients. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6654. [PMID: 38230878 PMCID: PMC10905547 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Black patients have higher hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related mortality than White patients and more often develop HCC in non-cirrhotic liver. HCC surveillance is primarily directed toward cirrhotic patients. We aimed to characterize HCC in non-cirrhotic patients and to identify factors associated with HCC beyond Milan criteria. METHODS Demographic, imaging, laboratory, and pathology data of HCC patients at our institution, 2003-2018, were reviewed, retrospectively. Race/ethnicity were self-reported. Cirrhosis was defined as a Fibrosis-4 score ≥3.25. RESULTS Compared to 1146 cirrhotic patients, 411 non-cirrhotic patients had larger tumors (median 4.7 cm vs. 3.1 cm, p < 0.01) and were less likely to be within Milan criteria (42.6% vs. 57.7%, p < 0.01). Among non-cirrhotic patients, Black patients had larger tumors (4.9 cm vs. 4.3 cm, p < 0.01) and a higher percentage of poorly differentiated tumors (39.4% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.02). Among cirrhotic patients, Black patients had larger tumors (3.3 cm vs. 3.0 cm, p = 0.03) and were less likely to be within Milan criteria (52.3% vs. 83.2%, p < 0.01). In multivariable analysis, lack of commercial insurance (OR 1.45 [CI 95% 1.19-1.83], p < 0.01), male sex (OR 1.34 [CI 95% 1.05-1.70], p < 0.01), absence of cirrhosis (OR 1.58 [CI 95% 1.27-1.98], p < 0.01) and Black race/ethnicity (OR 1.34 [CI 95% 1.09-1.66], p = 0.01) were associated with HCC beyond Milan criteria. Black patients had lower survival rates than other patients (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Non-cirrhotic patients had more advanced HCC than cirrhotic patients. Black patients (with or without cirrhosis) had more advanced HCC than comparable non-Black patients and higher mortality rates. Improved access to healthcare (commercial insurance) may increase early diagnosis (within Milan criteria) and reduce disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tali Shaltiel
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of SurgeryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Umut Sarpel
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of SurgeryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Andrea D. Branch
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of MedicineIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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17
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Phan V, Park JA, Dulman R, Lewis A, Briere N, Notarangelo B, Yang E. High hydroxyurea usage in sickle cell anemia regardless of patient demographics. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30728. [PMID: 38069808 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Hydroxyurea is highly effective in sickle cell disease, but it is still underutilized. Reports of hydroxyurea utilization largely use Medicaid data, and socioeconomics is often cited as a barrier. To address whether patient demographics influenced the high hydroxyurea usage rate recently reported for the pediatric sickle cell program of Northern Virginia, analysis of data from 2011 to 2021 revealed no statistical difference in hydroxyurea usage rate between Medicaid and non-Medicaid, African American and African, or age less than 13 and age greater than or equal to 13 years cohorts, demonstrating that hydroxyurea can be successfully implemented across demographic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Phan
- Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Ju Ae Park
- Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Robin Dulman
- Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Angela Lewis
- Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Noravy Briere
- Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Yang
- Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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18
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Attell BK, Barrett PM, Pace BS, McLemore ML, McGee BT, Oshe R, DiGirolamo AM, Cohen LL, Snyder AB. Characteristics of Emergency Department Visits Made by Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease in the U.S., 1999-2020. AJPM Focus 2024; 3:100158. [PMID: 38149076 PMCID: PMC10749880 DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2023.100158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Individuals living with sickle cell disease experience high levels of morbidity that result in frequent utilization of the emergency department. The objective of this study was to provide updated national estimates of emergency department utilization associated with sickle cell disease in the U.S. Methods Data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for the years 1999-2020 were analyzed. Complex survey analysis was utilized to produce national estimates overall and by patient age groups. Results On average, approximately 222,612 emergency department visits occurred annually among individuals with sickle cell disease, a nearly 13% increase from prior estimates. The annual volume of emergency department visits steadily increased over time, and pain remains the most common patient-cited reason for visiting the emergency department. Patient-reported pain levels for individuals with sickle cell disease were high, with 64% of visits associated with severe pain and 21% associated with moderate pain. Public insurance sources continue to cover most visits, with Medicaid paying for 60% of visits and Medicare paying for 12% of visits. The average time spent in the emergency department increased from previous estimates by about an hour, rising to approximately 6 hours. The average wait time to see a provider was 53 minutes. Conclusions Utilization of the emergency department by individuals living with sickle cell disease remains high, especially for pain. With more than half of patients with sickle cell disease reporting severe pain levels, emergency department staff should be prepared to assess and treat sickle cell disease-related pain following evidence-based guidelines and recommendations. The findings of this study can help improve care in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon K. Attell
- Georgia Health Policy Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Betty S. Pace
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Morgan L. McLemore
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Blake T. McGee
- School of Nursing, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rewo Oshe
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ann M. DiGirolamo
- Georgia Health Policy Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Lindsey L. Cohen
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Angela B. Snyder
- Georgia Health Policy Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
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19
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Moon KW, Hwang SH, Yun J, Lee EB. Approval status of essential therapeutic drugs for systemic sclerosis versus that of drugs for rheumatoid arthritis. J Scleroderma Relat Disord 2024; 9:23-28. [PMID: 38333520 PMCID: PMC10848933 DOI: 10.1177/23971983231222368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Objective Systemic sclerosis, a rare disease characterized by chronic multisystem fibrosis, requires lifelong management, necessitating enough insurance coverage for the patient. Official drug approval is the first step to ensuring that the drug is covered by insurance. In this study, we investigated the approval status of essential therapeutic drugs for systemic sclerosis across eight countries and compared it with that of drugs for rheumatoid arthritis. Methods The essential therapeutic drug lists for systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis were taken from the guidelines of the American College of Rheumatology and the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology. Official drug approval status for the selected drugs was confirmed by searching representative Internet databases from eight countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Results A total of 21 and 16 drugs were selected for systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, respectively. The drug approval rates of the 21 drugs for systemic sclerosis varied among countries. Most drugs used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, which were developed recently and are expensive, are approved by most countries; however, most older drugs-which are still essential for management of Raynaud's phenomenon, digital ulcers, interstitial lung disease, and skin fibrosis-are not approved by most countries. By contrast, almost all of the 16 drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, whether old or new, are approved by most countries. Conclusion Approval rates for drugs used to treat systemic sclerosis, a rare disease, are much lower than those for drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, approval rates of essential therapeutic drugs for systemic sclerosis need to improve, which will benefit patients by increasing the number of drugs covered by insurance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Won Moon
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Hee Hwang
- HIRA Research Institute, Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieun Yun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Cheongju University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Bong Lee
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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20
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Ghofranian A, Aharon D, Friedenthal J, Hanley WJ, Lee JA, Daneyko M, Rodriguez Z, Safer JD, Copperman AB. Family Building in Transgender Patients: Modern Strategies with Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment. Transgend Health 2024; 9:76-82. [PMID: 38312448 PMCID: PMC10835155 DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2021.0210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals continue to face adversity, stigma, and inequality, especially in health care. This study aimed to characterize the experience of TGD people and partners of TGD people with regard to fertility treatment. Methods All TGD patients presenting to a single academic center between 2013 and 2021 were included. Baseline demographics collected included patient age, body mass index, anti-Mullerian hormone, basal antral follicle count, history of gender-affirming surgery, and/or gender-affirming hormone therapy. Outcomes included total patients who progressed to treatment, cycle type(s), and clinical outcomes. Results In total, 82 patients who identified as TGD or had a partner who identified as TGD presented to care seeking fertility treatment. Of the 141 planned cycles, 106 (75.2%) progressed to treatment. Of the 15 in vitro fertilization (IVF) and co-IVF cycles, 12 achieved live birth. Of the 76 intrauterine inseminations 7 patients were discharged with ongoing pregnancies and one achieved live birth. Conclusion These findings reaffirm that TGD individuals utilize the entire array of fertility services. With recent advances in access to care and modern medicine, assisted reproductive technology treatment has the power to support TGD patients in building contemporary family structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atoosa Ghofranian
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Devora Aharon
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jenna Friedenthal
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - William J. Hanley
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joseph A. Lee
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Margaret Daneyko
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zoe Rodriguez
- Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joshua D. Safer
- Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alan B. Copperman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, New York, USA
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21
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Duncan FC, Al Nasrallah N, Nephew L, Han Y, Killion A, Liu H, Al-Hader A, Sears CR. Racial disparities in staging, treatment, and mortality in non-small cell lung cancer. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2024; 13:76-94. [PMID: 38405005 PMCID: PMC10891396 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-23-407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Background Black race is associated with advanced stage at diagnosis and increased mortality in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Most studies focus on race alone, without accounting for social determinants of health (SDOH). We explored the hypothesis that racial disparities in stage at diagnosis and outcomes are associated with SDOH and influence treatment decisions by patients and providers. Methods Patients with NSCLC newly diagnosed at Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (IUSCCC) from January 1, 2000 to May 31, 2015 were studied. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to examine the impact of SDOH (race, gender, insurance status, and marital status) on diagnosis stage, time to treatment, receipt of and reasons for not receiving guideline concordant treatment, and 5-year overall survival (OS) based on Kaplan-Meier curves. Results A total of 3,349 subjects were included in the study, 12.2% of Black race. Those diagnosed with advanced-stage NSCLC had a significantly higher odds of being male, uninsured, and Black. Five-year OS was lower in those of Black race, male, single, uninsured, Medicare/Medicaid insurance, and advanced stage. Adjusted for multiple variables, individuals with Medicare, Medicare/Medicaid, uninsured, widowed, and advanced stage at diagnosis, were associated with significantly lower OS time. Black, single, widowed, and uninsured individuals were less likely to receive stage appropriate treatment for advanced disease. Those uninsured [odds ratio (OR): 3.876, P<0.001], Medicaid insurance (OR: 3.039, P=0.0017), and of Black race (OR: 1.779, P=0.0377) were less likely to receive curative-intent surgery for early-stage NSCLC because it was not a recommended treatment. Conclusions We found racial, gender, and socioeconomic disparities in NSCLC diagnosis stage, receipt of stage-appropriate treatment, and reasons for guideline discordance in receipt of curative intent surgery for early-stage NSCLC. While insurance type and marital status were associated with worse OS, race alone was not. This suggests racial differences in outcomes may not be associated with race alone, but rather worse SDOH disproportionately affecting Black individuals. Efforts to understand advanced diagnosis and reasons for failure to receive stage-appropriate treatment by vulnerable populations is needed to ensure equitable NSCLC care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca C. Duncan
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Nawar Al Nasrallah
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Lauren Nephew
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yan Han
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Andrew Killion
- Indiana Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers School of Public Health, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Ahmad Al-Hader
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Catherine R. Sears
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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22
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Yang L. Diagnostics for regression models with semicontinuous outcomes. Biometrics 2024; 80:ujae007. [PMID: 38470256 DOI: 10.1093/biomtc/ujae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Semicontinuous outcomes commonly arise in a wide variety of fields, such as insurance claims, healthcare expenditures, rainfall amounts, and alcohol consumption. Regression models, including Tobit, Tweedie, and two-part models, are widely employed to understand the relationship between semicontinuous outcomes and covariates. Given the potential detrimental consequences of model misspecification, after fitting a regression model, it is of prime importance to check the adequacy of the model. However, due to the point mass at zero, standard diagnostic tools for regression models (eg, deviance and Pearson residuals) are not informative for semicontinuous data. To bridge this gap, we propose a new type of residuals for semicontinuous outcomes that is applicable to general regression models. Under the correctly specified model, the proposed residuals converge to being uniformly distributed, and when the model is misspecified, they significantly depart from this pattern. In addition to in-sample validation, the proposed methodology can also be employed to evaluate predictive distributions. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed tool using health expenditure data from the US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yang
- School of Statistics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
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23
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Gordon Wexler M, Watman D, Perez S, Ankuda C, Reckrey JM. "It shouldn't be like this": Family caregivers navigating insurance for family members with dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024. [PMID: 38280225 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Almost 11.3 million family caregivers of people with dementia must navigate the health insurance landscape to meet the complex medical and long-term care needs of their family members. This study explores factors that influence family caregivers' decisions about insurance and how these choices affect the care and support people with dementia receive. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted from June 2022 to January 2023 with 15 family caregivers of people with dementia dual eligible for Medicaid and Medicare and enrolled in home-based primary care in New York City. A set of open-ended questions were asked exploring caregivers' perspectives on navigating insurance plans. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis with both deductive and inductive coding. RESULTS Analysis revealed three major themes: (1) challenges of Medicaid enrollment, (2) making do with existing insurance, and (3) mistrust of the insurance system. Initial enrollment in Medicaid compounded the stress of adjusting to caregiving. The enrollment process was impacted by clinical factors, financial factors, and input from providers and social workers; however, caregivers could not identify a centralized system for obtaining insurance information and support. Once Medicaid was in place, participants described advocating on behalf of their family member within the constraints of their current insurance plans (Medicare and Medicaid) and ensuring they had the necessary knowledge to understand their family member's coverage. Participants voiced a need for ongoing vigilance to ensure their family members received needed care and support. CONCLUSION The challenges family caregivers experience when navigating insurance for their family members with dementia contribute to caregiver burden. Robust and centralized professional support for family members both immediately after a family member's dementia diagnosis and as the disease progresses could increase caregivers' capacity to make insurance decisions that best support their family members with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikayla Gordon Wexler
- Department of Medical Education, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Deborah Watman
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sasha Perez
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Claire Ankuda
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer M Reckrey
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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24
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Okoro UE, Harland KK, Assimacopoulos E, Findlay S. Trends in Health Care Coverage and Out-Of-Pocket Cost Barriers: A Gender Comparison. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2024. [PMID: 38215276 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2023.0121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: The presence of disparities in access to health care and insurance coverage can have a tremendous impact on health care outcomes. Programs like the Affordable Care Act were implemented to improve health care access and to address the existing inequities. The objective of this study was to identify any disparities that exist between males and females regarding health care coverage and out-of-pocket cost to health care. Methods: This analysis was a cross-sectional study using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data collected between 2013 and 2018. The primary predictor was sex assigned at birth (with the binary option of male vs. female). The primary outcome was adequate health coverage. Survey participants who indicated that they had health insurance with no out-of-pocket cost barriers to receiving medical care were considered to have adequate health coverage, while participants who did not meet these criteria were considered to have inadequate health coverage. Covariates measured were age, race/ethnicity, educational level, employment status, and annual household income. SAS survey procedures and weighting methods were used to measure the association between the sex and adequate health coverage, after controlling for covariates. Results: The data spanning 6 years included 2,249,749 adults, of whom 1,898,097 (84.4%) had adequate health coverage. Females made up 55.8% (N = 1,256,243) of the total sample. About 32.6% (N = 733,216) survey participants were aged ≥65 years. Most respondents, 77.6%, were White (Non-Hispanic). Across the 6-year period, females were more likely to have health insurance but with out-of-pocket costs that served as a barrier to their medical care (adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI from 2013 to 2018 were 1.36 [1.29-1.43], 1.38 [1.32-1.46], 1.31 [1.24-1.38], 1.33 [1.26-1.40], and 1.32 [1.25-1.40], respectively). Conclusions: Females were more likely than males to indicate an out-of-pocket cost barrier to medical care despite having health insurance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uche E Okoro
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Karisa K Harland
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Shannon Findlay
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Schroth RJ, Cruz de Jesus V, Menon A, Olatosi OO, Lee VHK, Yerex K, Hai-Santiago K, DeMaré D. An investigation of data from the first year of the interim Canada Dental Benefit for children <12 years of age. Front Oral Health 2024; 4:1328491. [PMID: 38260717 PMCID: PMC10800383 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2023.1328491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In 2022, the federal government announced a commitment of $5.3B to provide dental care for the uninsured, beginning with children <12 years of age. Now referred to as the Interim Canada Dental Benefit (CDB), the program targets those <12 years of age from families with annual incomes <$90,000 without private dental insurance. The purpose of this study was to review federal data from the Government of Canada on public uptake and applications made to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) during the first year of the Interim CDB. Methods Data for the first year of the Interim CDB (up to June 30, 2023) were accessed from the Government of Canada Open Data Portal through Open Government Licence-Canada. Rates of children receiving the Interim CDB per 1,000 were calculated by dividing the number of beneficiaries by the total number of children 0-11 years by province or territory, available from Statistics Canada for the year 2021. Results During the first year of the program, a total of 204,270 applications were approved, which were made by 188,510 unique applicants for 321,000 children <12 years of age. Over $197M was distributed by the CRA. Overall, the national rate for receiving the Interim CDB was 67.8/1,000 children. Ontario (82.5/1,000), Manitoba (77.1/1,000), Nova Scotia (73.4/1,000), and Saskatchewan (72.3%), all had rates of children with the Interim CDB above the national rate. Conclusions Data from the first year of the Interim CDB suggests that this federal funding is increasing access to care for children <12 years by addressing the affordability of dental care. Governments and the oral health professions need to address other dimensions of access to care including accessibility, availability, accommodation, awareness, and acceptability of oral health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Schroth
- Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Shared Health Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Vivianne Cruz de Jesus
- Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Anil Menon
- Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Olubukola O. Olatosi
- Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Victor H. K. Lee
- Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Katherine Yerex
- Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Daniella DeMaré
- Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Abedi M, Aplin T, Gane E, Johnston V. "No Man's Land": the experiences of persons injured in a road traffic crash wanting to return to work in Queensland, Australia. Disabil Rehabil 2024; 46:48-57. [PMID: 36469639 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2153178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to explore individuals' experiences of return to work (RTW) following minor to serious road traffic injury (RTI) in Queensland, Australia; seek their recommendations if any, on how to provide support for RTW after RTI; and identify the strategies and resources used to return and remain at work after their RTI. METHODS The interpretive description methodological approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eligible participants (n = 18) aged 18-65 y who had experienced a minor to serious RTI at least 6 months earlier. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS Five themes emerged: (1) physical and mental consequences of RTI negatively impact RTW; (2) money matters; (3) RTW support makes a difference; (4) feeling alone and confused in the RTW process; and (5) several strategies and resources helped with return/stay at work after RTI. Regular contact and cooperation with employers and insurers, job modifications, and using social media to obtain information and social support were helpful RTW strategies. Participants recommended timely and appropriate medical care, financial assistance, and educational support. CONCLUSIONS Policy changes to reduce financial stress, increase employer support, and improve injured individuals' knowledge following a RTI are recommended in jurisdictions operating a fault-based scheme.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis study identified several factors that can influence return to work (RTW) following minor to serious road traffic injuries (RTIs) in a jurisdiction operating a fault-based compensation scheme.Legislative changes that provide financial assistance to all injured people regardless of their fault-status could reduce financial stress arising from reduced work ability following a road traffic injury.Increasing employer' awareness of the importance of return to work for those with road traffic injuries and reimbursement for possible expenses of providing RTW support for these individuals could increase employability of injured people following RTI.Improving injured individuals' knowledge about return-to-work processes after a road traffic injury could accelerate recovery and return to work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Abedi
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Tammy Aplin
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Allied Health Research Collaborative, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Elise Gane
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Physiotherapy Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
- Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Metro South Health, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Venerina Johnston
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of socioeconomic factors on access to congenital hand surgery care, hospital admission charges, and analyze these geographic trends across regions of the country. METHODS Retrospective cohort study was conducted of congenital hand surgery performed in the United States from 2010 through 2020 using the Pediatric Health Information System. Multivariate regression was used to analyze the impact of socioeconomic factors. RESULTS During the study interval, 5531 pediatric patients underwent corrective surgery for congenital hand differences, including syndactyly repair (n = 2439), polydactyly repair (n = 2826), and pollicization (n = 266). Patients underwent surgery at significantly earlier age when treated at above-median case volume hospitals (P < .001). Patients with above-median income (P < .001), non-white race (P < .001), commercial insurance (P < .001), living in an urban community (P < .001), and not living in an underserved area (P < .001) were more likely to be treated at high-volume hospitals. Nearly half of patients chose to seek care at a distant hospital rather than the one locally available (49.5%, n = 1172). Of those choosing a distant hospital, most patients chose a higher-volume facility (80.9%, n = 948 of 1172). On multivariate regression, white patients were significantly more likely to choose a more distant, higher-volume hospital (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Socioeconomic and geographic factors significantly contribute to disparate access to congenital hand surgery across the country. Patients with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to be treated at high-volume hospitals. Treatment at hospitals with higher case volume is associated with earlier age at surgery and decreased hospital admission charges.
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Magnuson JA, Hobbs J, Yakkanti R, Gold PA, Courtney PM, Krueger CA. Lower Revenue Surplus in Medicare Advantage Versus Private Commercial Insurance for Total Joint Arthroplasty: An Analysis of a Single Payor Source at One Institution. J Arthroplasty 2024; 39:26-31.e1. [PMID: 37380139 DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2023.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, reductions in Medicare reimbursement have led to larger discrepancies between the relative cost of Medicare patients and privately insured patients. The purpose of this study was to compare reimbursement between Medicare Advantage and other insurance plans in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS Patients of a single commercial payor source who underwent primary unilateral TKA or THA at 1 institution between the dates of January 4 and June 30, 2021, were included (n = 833). Variables included insurance type, medical comorbidities, total costs, and surplus amounts. The primary outcome measure was revenue surplus between Medicare Advantage and Private Commercial plans. t-tests, Analyses of Variance, and Chi-Squared tests were used for analysis. A THA represented 47% of cases and a TKA 53%. Of these patients, 31.5% had Medicare Advantage and 68.5% had Private Commercial insurance. Medicare Advantage patients were older and had higher medical comorbidity risk for both TKA and THA. RESULTS Significant differences were observed in medical costs between Medicare Advantage and Private Commercial insurance for THA ($17,148 versus $31,260, P < .001) and TKA ($16,723 versus $33,593, P < .001). Additionally, differences were seen in surplus amounts between Medicare Advantage and Private Commercial insurance for THA ($3,504 versus $7,128, P < .001) and TKA ($5,581 versus $10,477, P < .001). Deficits were higher in Private Commercial patients undergoing TKA (15.2 versus 6%, P = .001). CONCLUSION The lower average surplus associated with Medicare Advantage plans may lead to financial strain on provider groups who care for these patients and face additional overhead costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin A Magnuson
- Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - John Hobbs
- Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ramakanth Yakkanti
- Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Peter A Gold
- Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - P Maxwell Courtney
- Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Chad A Krueger
- Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Gray EW, Smith WA, Burton ET, Hale D, Odulana A, Weatherall YZ. Insurance Approval for Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescents in the Midsouth. Child Obes 2024; 20:35-40. [PMID: 36749140 DOI: 10.1089/chi.2022.0175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of adolescent obesity, yet many providers express hesitance to refer adolescents for surgery due to concerns for insufficient insurance coverage. Methods: The Healthy Lifestyle Clinic, a pediatric weight management clinic, was established in 2014, and an adolescent MBS program was added in 2017. Patients 15 years or older who meet the selection criteria are eligible for the surgery track. A retrospective chart review was conducted to describe our experience obtaining insurance approval for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for our adolescent patients. Results: Almost all patients who were interested in and eligible for LSG ultimately received insurance approval. Most patients had public insurance (70%). Sixty-four percent of patients were approved after the initial application, 23% were approved after a peer-to-peer review, and 11% required an appeal for approval. There was no difference in the time from insurance application to insurance approval based on age, race/ethnicity, or type of insurance. Conclusions: Age <18 years and having public health insurance have not been demonstrated as barriers to insurance approval for LSG in our cohort. Providers should not delay referral for MBS for eligible adolescents based on concern for insufficient insurance coverage. Adolescent MBS programs would benefit from a patient advocate to help families navigate the insurance approval process and reduce barriers to surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily W Gray
- Healthy Lifestyle Clinic, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, College of Nursing, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Webb A Smith
- Healthy Lifestyle Clinic, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Pediatric Obesity Program, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - E Thomaseo Burton
- Healthy Lifestyle Clinic, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Pediatric Obesity Program, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Darla Hale
- Healthy Lifestyle Clinic, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Adebowale Odulana
- Healthy Lifestyle Clinic, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine, and Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ying Z Weatherall
- Healthy Lifestyle Clinic, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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Rufat S, Robinson PJ, Botzen WJW. Insights into the complementarity of natural disaster insurance purchases and risk reduction behavior. Risk Anal 2024; 44:141-154. [PMID: 36922712 DOI: 10.1111/risa.14130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
While flooding is the costliest natural disaster risk, public-sector investments provide incomplete protection. Moreover, individuals are in general reluctant to voluntarily invest in measures which limit damage costs from natural disasters. The moral hazard hypothesis argues that insured individuals take fewer other preparedness measures based on their assumption that their losses will be covered anyway. Conversely, the advantageous selection hypothesis argues that individuals view insurance and other risk reduction measures as complements. This study offers a comprehensive assessment of factors related to the separate uptake of natural disaster insurance and the flood-proofing of homes as well as why people may take both of these measures together. We use data from a survey conducted in Paris, France, in 2018, after several flood events, for a representative sample of 2976 residents facing different levels of flood risk. We perform both main effects regressions and interaction analyses to reveal that home adaptation to flooding is positively associated with comprehensive insurance coverage, which includes financial protection against natural disasters. Furthermore, actual and perceived risks, as well as awareness of official information on flood risk, are found to explain some of the relationship between home adaptation and comprehensive insurance purchase. We suggest several recommendations to policymakers based on these insights which aim to address insurance coverage gaps and the failure to take disaster risk reduction measures. In particular, groups in socially vulnerable situations may benefit from subsidized insurance, low interest loans, and decision aids to implement costly adaptation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Rufat
- CY Cergy Paris University, Cergy-Pontoise, Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Peter J Robinson
- Department of Environmental Economics, Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter J W Botzen
- Department of Environmental Economics, Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Isaq NA, Link JL. Response to Papp et al's "Long-term safety and disease control with ruxolitinib cream in atopic dermatitis: Results from two phase 3 studies". J Am Acad Dermatol 2024; 90:e19-e20. [PMID: 37708975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.04.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nasro A Isaq
- Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
| | - Jenny L Link
- Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Rose L, Tran D, Wu S, Dalton A, Kirsh S, Vashi A. Payer shifting after expansions in access to private care among veterans. Health Serv Res 2023; 58:1189-1197. [PMID: 37076113 PMCID: PMC10622298 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether expanded access to Veterans Affairs (VA)-purchased care increased overall utilization or induced a shift from other payers to VA for emergency care among VA enrollees. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING This study included all emergency department (ED) encounters in 2019 from hospitals in the state of New York. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a difference-in-differences analysis comparing VA enrollees to the general population before and after the implementation of the Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act in June 2019. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS We included all ED visits with individuals aged 30 or older at the time of the encounter. Individuals were considered eligible for the policy change if they were enrolled with VA at the beginning of 2019. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Of the 5,577,199 ED visits in the sample, 4.9% (n = 253,799) were made by VA enrollees. Of these, 44.9% of visits were paid by Medicare, 32.8% occurred in VA facilities, and 7% were paid by private health insurance. There was a 6.4% (2.91 percentage points; std. error = 0.18; p < 0.01) decrease in the proportion of ED visits paid by Medicare among VA enrollees relative to the general population after the implementation of the MISSION Act in June 2019. This decrease was larger for ED visits with a subsequent inpatient admission (-8.4%; 4.87 percentage points; std. error = 0.33; p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant change in the total volume of ED visits (0.06%; std. error = 0.08; p = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS Leveraging a novel dataset, we demonstrate that MISSION Act implementation coincided with a shift in the financing of non-VA ED visits from Medicare to VA without any increase in overall ED utilization. These findings have important implications for VA health care financing and delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam Rose
- Department of Veterans AffairsHealth Economics Resource CenterMenlo ParkCaliforniaUSA
- Stanford Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education (S‐SPIRE) CenterStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Diem Tran
- Department of Veterans AffairsHealth Economics Resource CenterMenlo ParkCaliforniaUSA
- Stanford Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education (S‐SPIRE) CenterStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Siqi Wu
- Stanford Primary Care and Population HealthStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Aaron Dalton
- Department of Veterans AffairsCenter for Innovation to ImplementationMenlo ParkCaliforniaUSA
| | - Susan Kirsh
- Department of Veterans AffairsActing Deputy Assistant Undersecretary for Health for Discovery Education and Affiliated NetworksWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Anita Vashi
- Department of Veterans AffairsCenter for Innovation to ImplementationMenlo ParkCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
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Andraka-Christou B, Golan O, Totaram R, Ohama M, Saloner B, Gordon AJ, Stein BD. Prior authorization restrictions on medications for opioid use disorder: trends in state laws from 2005 to 2019. Ann Med 2023; 55:514-520. [PMID: 36724766 PMCID: PMC9897778 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2171107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) - including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone - are the most effective treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD). Historically, insurers have required prior authorization for MOUD, but prior authorization is often reported as a key barrier to MOUD prescribing. Some states have passed laws prohibiting MOUD prior authorization requirements. We sought to identify the frequency of MOUD prior authorization prohibitions in state laws and to categorize types of prohibitions. METHODS We searched for regulations and statutes present in all U.S. states and Washington DC between 2005 and 2019 using MOUD-related terms in Westlaw legal software. In qualitative software, we coded laws discussing MOUD prior authorization using template analysis - a mixed deductive/inductive approach. Finally, we used coded laws to identify frequencies of states with prior authorization prohibitions, including changes over time. RESULTS No states had laws prohibiting MOUD prior authorization between 2005 and 2015, with the first prohibition appearing in 2016. By 2019, fifteen states had MOUD prior authorization prohibitions. States varied significantly in their approach to prohibiting MOUD prior authorization. In 2019, it was more common for states to have MOUD prior authorization prohibitions applying to all insurers (n = 10 states) than to only Medicaid (n = 7 states) or only non-Medicaid insurers (n = 1 state). In 2019, general prior authorization prohibitions (n = 10 states) were more common than prohibitions only applicable to medications on the formulary, prohibitions only applicable to medications on the preferred drug list, prohibitions only applicable during the first 5 days of treatment, and prohibitions only applicable during the first 30 days of treatment. CONCLUSIONS The number of states with an MOUD prior authorization law prohibition increased in recent years. Such laws could help expand access to life-saving OUD treatments by making it easier for clinicians to prescribe MOUD.KEY MESSAGESNo states had MOUD prior authorization prohibitions between 2005 and 2015 in state statutes or regulations, and only one state had such a prohibition in 2016.By 2019, fifteen states had an MOUD prior authorization prohibition law.States varied significantly in their approach to prohibiting MOUD prior authorization, including with respect to the insurer type, duration of the prohibition, and applicable medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Andraka-Christou
- School of Global Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine (Secondary Joint Appointment), University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- CONTACT Barbara Andraka-Christou School of Global Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida, 525 W Livingston Street, Suite 401, Orlando, 32801FL, USA
| | - Olivia Golan
- School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rachel Totaram
- School of Global Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Maggie Ohama
- The Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam J. Gordon
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Haeder SF, Xu WY, Elton T, Pitcher A. State Efforts to Regulate Provider Networks and Directories: Lessons for the Future. J Health Polit Policy Law 2023; 48:951-968. [PMID: 37497889 DOI: 10.1215/03616878-10852610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Managed care arrangements are the dominant form of insurance coverage in the United States today. These arrangements rely on a network of contracted providers to deliver services to their enrollees. After the managed care backlash, governments moved to ensure consumer access by issuing a number of requirements for carriers related to the composition and size of their networks and how this information is shared with consumers. The authors provide a comprehensive review of these state-based efforts to regulate provider network adequacy and provider directory accuracy for commercial insurance markets. In addition to common measures of adequacy, they also include requirements specifically targeted to underserved populations. Their assessment comes on the heels of recent empirical work that has raised significant questions about whether these efforts are effective, particularly considering the limited nature of enforcement. They also provide a brief overview and assessment of recent federal government efforts that replicate these state regulations with a focus on lessons learned from state regulations that may help improve their federal counterparts. Furthermore, they outline a future research agenda focused on a more comprehensive evaluation of efforts to ensure consumer access.
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Adamson AS, Jackson BE, Baggett CD, Thomas NE, Haynes AB, Pignone MP. Association of Receipt of Systemic Treatment for Melanoma With Insurance Type in North Carolina. Med Care 2023; 61:829-835. [PMID: 37708348 PMCID: PMC10844879 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies of hospital-based patients with metastatic melanoma suggest sociodemographic factors, including insurance type, may be associated with the receipt of systemic treatments. OBJECTIVES To examine whether insurance type is associated with the receipt of systemic treatment among patients with melanoma in a broad cohort of patients in North Carolina. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study between 2011 and 2017 of patients with stages III-IV melanoma using data from the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry linked to Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance claims across the state. The primary outcome was the receipt of any systemic treatment, and the secondary outcome was the receipt of immunotherapy. RESULTS A total of 372 patients met the inclusion criteria. The average age was 68 years old (interquartile range: 56-76) and 61% were male. Within the cohort 48% had Medicare only, 29% had private insurance, 12% had both Medicare and Medicaid, and 11% had Medicaid only. A total of 186 (50%) patients received systemic treatment for melanoma, 125 (67%) of whom received immunotherapy. The use of systemic therapy, including immunotherapy, increased significantly over time. Having Medicaid-only insurance was independently associated with a 45% lower likelihood of receiving any systemic treatment [0.55 (95% CI: 0.35, 0.85)] and a 43% lower likelihood of receipt of immunotherapy [0.57 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.95)] compared with private insurance. CONCLUSIONS Stage III-IV melanoma patients with Medicaid-only insurance were less likely to receive systemic therapy or immunotherapy than patients with private insurance or Medicare insurance. This finding raises concerns about insurance-based disparities in treatment access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adewole S. Adamson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School,
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes, The University of Texas at
Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bradford E. Jackson
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christopher D. Baggett
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nancy E. Thomas
- Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alex B. Haynes
- LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes, The University of Texas at
Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical
School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Michael P. Pignone
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School,
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes, The University of Texas at
Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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Galbraith AA, Faugno E, Cripps LA, Przywara KM, Wright DR, Gilkey MB. "You Have to Rob Peter to Pay Paul So Your Kid Can Breathe": Using Qualitative Methods to Characterize Trade-Offs and Economic Impact of Asthma Care Costs. Med Care 2023; 61:S95-S103. [PMID: 37963027 PMCID: PMC10635333 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Economic analyses often focus narrowly on individual patients' health care use, while overlooking the growing economic burden of out-of-pocket costs for health care on other family medical and household needs. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore intrafamilial trade-offs families make when paying for asthma care. RESEARCH DESIGN In 2018, we conducted telephone interviews with 59 commercially insured adults who had asthma and/or had a child with asthma. We analyzed data qualitatively via thematic content analysis. PARTICIPANTS Our purposive sample included participants with high-deductible and no/low-deductible health plans. We recruited participants through a national asthma advocacy organization and a large nonprofit regional health plan. MEASURES Our semistructured interview guide explored domains related to asthma adherence and cost burden, cost management strategies, and trade-offs. RESULTS Participants reported that they tried to prioritize paying for asthma care, even at the expense of their family's overall financial well-being. When facing conflicting demands, participants described making trade-offs between asthma care and other health and nonmedical needs based on several criteria: (1) short-term needs versus longer term financial health; (2) needs of children over adults; (3) acuity of the condition; (4) effectiveness of treatment; and (5) availability of lower cost alternatives. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that cost-sharing for asthma care often has negative financial consequences for families that traditional, individually focused economic analyses are unlikely to capture. This work highlights the need for patient-centered research to evaluate the impact of health care costs at the family level, holistically measuring short-term and long-term family financial outcomes that extend beyond health care use alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison A. Galbraith
- Boston Medical Center and Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
- Harvard Medical School & Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Elena Faugno
- Harvard Medical School & Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Lauren A. Cripps
- Harvard Medical School & Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA
| | | | - Davene R. Wright
- Harvard Medical School & Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Melissa B. Gilkey
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
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Chen Z, Zhao X, He R, Li H, Fu S, Zhang K, Gu M, Zhou S. The impact of insurance status on in-hospital mortality in patients with hyperglycaemic crisis: A propensity score matching analysis. J Eval Clin Pract 2023; 29:1395-1401. [PMID: 37574779 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
AIM This study was designed to determine the associations between insurance status and clinical outcomes among patients with hyperglycaemic crisis. METHODS Overall, 1668 patients with hyperglycaemic crisis were recruited from the Chongqing Medical University Medical Data Science Academy's big data platform. In-hospital mortality, length of stay and complications (i.e., hypoglycaemia, hypokalemia, pulmonary infection, multiple systemic organ failure, acute kidney injury and deep venous thrombosis) were assessed. Propensity score matching analysis was used to reduce the confounding bias, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to estimate the effect of insurance status on mortality in patients with hyperglycaemic crisis. RESULTS After matching one uninsured patient to two insured patients with a calliper of 0.02, the uninsured group suffered a higher burden of in-hospital mortality than the insured group (16.9% vs. 9.8%); the insured status (odds ratio = 0.216, 95% confidence interval = 0.079-0.587) was a potential protect factor for in-hospital mortality of patients with hyperglycaemic crisis in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS Insurance status is associated with the outcomes of hospitalisation for hyperglycaemic crisis; uninsured patients with hyperglycaemic crisis face a higher risk of mortality in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Chen
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xu Zhao
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rui He
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shimin Fu
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kebiao Zhang
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Manping Gu
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sumei Zhou
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Srinivasan S, Gunaseelan V, Jankulov A, Chua KP, Englesbe M, Waljee J, Bicket M, Brummett CM. Association Between Payer Type and Risk of Persistent Opioid Use After Surgery. Ann Surg 2023; 278:e1185-e1191. [PMID: 37334751 PMCID: PMC10631504 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether the risk of persistent opioid use after surgery varies by payer type. BACKGROUND Persistent opioid use is associated with increased health care utilization and risk of opioid use disorder, opioid overdose, and mortality. Most research assessing the risk of persistent opioid use has focused on privately insured patients. Whether this risk varies by payer type is poorly understood. METHODS This cross-sectional analysis of the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative database examined adults aged 18 to 64 years undergoing surgical procedures across 70 hospitals between January 1, 2017 and October 31, 2019. The primary outcome was persistent opioid use, defined a priori as 1+ opioid prescription fulfillment at (1) an additional opioid prescription fulfillment after an initial postoperative fulfillment in the perioperative period or at least 1 fulfillment in the 4 to 90 days after discharge and (2) at least 1 opioid prescription fulfillment in the 91 to 180 days after discharge. The association between this outcome and payer type was evaluated using logistic regression, adjusting for patient and procedure characteristics. RESULTS Among 40,071 patients included, the mean age was 45.3 years (SD 12.3), 24,853 (62%) were female, 9430 (23.5%) were Medicaid-insured, 26,760 (66.8%) were privately insured, and 3889 (9.7%) were covered by other payer types. The rate of POU was 11.5% and 5.6% for Medicaid-insured and privately insured patients, respectively (average marginal effect for Medicaid: 2.9% (95% CI 2.3%-3.6%)). CONCLUSIONS Persistent opioid use remains common among individuals undergoing surgery and higher among patients with Medicaid insurance. Strategies to optimize postoperative recovery should focus on adequate pain management for all patients and consider tailored pathways for those at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vidhya Gunaseelan
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Alexandra Jankulov
- Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester Hills, MI
| | - Kao-Ping Chua
- Department of Pediatrics, Susan B. Meister Child Health and Evaluation Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Michael Englesbe
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jennifer Waljee
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Mark Bicket
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Chad M. Brummett
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, Ann Arbor, MI
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Chick SE, Hawkins SA, Soberman D. Giving more detailed information about health insurance encourages consumers to choose compromise options. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1257031. [PMID: 38046114 PMCID: PMC10693418 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1257031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction To investigate how the provision of additional information about the health events and procedures covered by a healthcare plan affect the level of coverage chosen by young adults taking their first full time job. Methods University students were recruited for a study at two behavioral laboratories (one located at the University of Toronto and the other located at INSEAD-Sorbonne University in Paris) in which they imagine they are making choices about the healthcare coverage associated with the taking a new job in Chicago, Illinois. Every participant made choices in four categories: Physician Care, Clinical Care, Hospital Care, and Dental Care. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Low Detail or High Detail coverage information and they chose between three levels of coverage: Basic, Enhanced, and Superior. The study took place in March 2017 with 120 students in Toronto and 121 students in Paris. Results The provision of more detailed information about the health events and procedures covered by a healthcare plan leads to a compromise effect in which participants shift their choices significantly towards Enhanced (moderate coverage) from Basic (low coverage) and Superior (high coverage). The compromise effect was observed at both locations; however, Paris participants choose significantly higher levels of coverage than Toronto participants. Discussion Providing more detail to employees about the health events and procedures covered by a healthcare plan will increase the fraction of employees who choose the intermediate level of coverage. It is beyond the scope of this study to conclude whether this is good or bad; however, in a context where employees gravitate to either insufficient or excessive coverage, providing additional detail may reduce these tendencies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott A. Hawkins
- Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Soberman
- Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Jain NP, Gronbeck C, Beltrami E, Feng H. Mohs Surgery Price Transparency and Variability at Academic Hospitals After the Implementation of the Federal Price Transparency Final Rule. JMIR Dermatol 2023; 6:e50381. [PMID: 37966874 PMCID: PMC10687679 DOI: 10.2196/50381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Neelesh P Jain
- Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Christian Gronbeck
- Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Eric Beltrami
- School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Hao Feng
- Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
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Levi Z, Abu-Frecha N, Comanesther D, Backenstein T, Cohen AD, Eizenstein S, Flugelman A, Weinstein O. Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in colorectal cancer screening in a large organization with universal insurance before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. J Med Screen 2023:9691413231214186. [PMID: 37964557 DOI: 10.1177/09691413231214186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Israel is regarded as a country with a developed economy and a moderate income inequality index. In this population-based study, we aimed to measure the inequalities in colorectal cancer screening within Clalit Health, an organization with universal insurance, before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. SETTING Retrospective analysis within Clalit Health Services, Israel. METHODS We evaluated the rate of being up to date with screening (having a colonoscopy within 10 years or a fecal occult blood test within 1 year) and the colonoscopy completion rate (having a colonoscopy within 6 months of a positive fecal occult blood test) among subjects aged 50-75 in 2019-2021. RESULTS In 2019, out of 918,135 subjects, 61.3% were up to date with screening; high socioeconomic status: 65.9% (referent), medium-socioeconomic status: 60.1% (odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.80-0.82), low-socioeconomic status: 59.0% (odds ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.74-0.75); Jews: 61.9% (referent), Arabs: 59.7% (odds ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.90-0.92), Ultraorthodox-Jews: 51.7% (odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.75-0.78). Out of 21,308 with a positive fecal occult blood test, the colonoscopy completion rate was 51.8%; high-socioeconomic status: 59.8% (referent), medium-socioeconomic status: 54.1% (odds ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.73-0.86), low-socioeconomic status: 45.5% (odds ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.56-0.65); Jews: 54.7% (referent), Ultraorthodox-Jews: 51.4% (odds ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.90-0.92), Arabs: 44.7% (odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.75-0.78). In 2020-2021, there was a slight drop in the rate of being up to date with screening, while most of the discrepancies were kept or slightly increased with time. CONCLUSIONS We report significant inequalities in colorectal cancer screening before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Israel, despite a declared policy of equality and universal insurance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohar Levi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Clalit Health Services, Israel
- Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Naim Abu-Frecha
- Department of Gastroenterology, Soroka Medical Center, Clalit Health Services, Israel
- Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Doron Comanesther
- Division of Health Policy, Department of Quality Measures, Clalit Health Services, Israel
| | - Tania Backenstein
- Division of Health Policy, Department of Quality Measures, Clalit Health Services, Israel
| | - Arnon D Cohen
- Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Division of Health Policy, Department of Quality Measures, Clalit Health Services, Israel
| | | | - Anath Flugelman
- Technion Israel Institute of Technology The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Haifa, Haifa, IL, USA
| | - Orly Weinstein
- The Clalit Health Services Headquarters, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Dadjo J, Omonaiye O, Yaya S. Health insurance coverage and access to child and maternal health services in West Africa: a systematic scoping review. Int Health 2023; 15:644-654. [PMID: 37609993 PMCID: PMC10629958 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihad071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the United Nations, the third Sustainable Development Goal, 'Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-Being at All Ages', set numerous targets on child and maternal health. Universal health insurance is broadly seen as a solution to fulfil these targets. West Africa is known to have the most severe maternal mortality and under-five mortality rates in the world. This review seeks to understand whether health insurance provides increased access to services for mothers and children in this region. METHODS The protocol for this review is registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database (CRD42020203859). A search was conducted in the MEDLINE Complete, Embase, CINAHL Complete and Global Health databases. Eligible studies were from West African countries. The population of interest was mothers and children and the outcome of interest was the impact of health insurance on access to services. Data were extracted using a standardized form. The primary outcome was the impact of health insurance on the rate of utilization and access to services. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool was used for methodological assessment. RESULTS Following screening, we retained 49 studies representing 51 study settings. In most study settings, health insurance increased access to child and maternal health services. Other determinants of access were socio-economic factors such as wealth and education. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that health insurance may be a viable long-term strategy to alleviate West Africa's burden of high maternal and child mortality rates. An equity lens must guide future policy developments and significant research is needed to determine how to provide access reliably and sustainably to services for mothers and children in the near and long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Dadjo
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olumuyiwa Omonaiye
- Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood, Victoria, Australia
- Deakin University Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research – Eastern Health Partnership, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sanni Yaya
- School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Gutierrez JA, Durrant FG, Nguyen SA, Chapurin N, Schlosser RJ, Soler ZM. Association between Social Determinants of Health and Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 169:1101-1113. [PMID: 37293865 DOI: 10.1002/ohn.396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Some previous studies have shown an increased prevalence of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) among young, black patients with poor access to health care; however, results have been mixed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social determinants of health and AFRS. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL. REVIEW METHODS A systematic review was performed searching for articles published from date of inception to September 29, 2022. English language articles describing the relationship between social determinants of health (i.e., race, insurance status) and AFRS as compared to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) were selected for inclusion. A Meta-analysis of proportions with comparison (Δ) of weighted proportions was conducted. RESULTS A total of 21 articles with 1605 patients were selected for inclusion. The proportion of black patients among AFRS, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) groups was 58.0% [45.3%-70.1%], 23.8% [14.1%-35.2%], and 13.0% [5.1%-24.0%], respectively. This was significantly higher among the AFRS population compared to both the CRSwNP population (Δ34.2% [28.4%-39.6%], p < .0001) and the CRSsNP population (Δ44.9% [38.4%-50.6%], p < .0001). The proportion of patients who were either uninsured or covered by Medicaid among the AFRS, CRSwNP, and CRSsNP populations was 31.5% [25.4%-38.1%], 8.6% [0.7%-23.8%], and 5.0% [0.3%-14.8%], respectively. This was significantly higher among the AFRS group than the CRSwNP group (Δ22.9% [15.3%-31.1%], p < .0001) and the CRSsNP group (Δ26.5% [19.1%-33.4%], p < .0001). CONCLUSION This study confirms that AFRS patients are more likely to be Black and either uninsured or on subsidized insurance than their CRS counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A Gutierrez
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Frederick G Durrant
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Shaun A Nguyen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Nikita Chapurin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Rodney J Schlosser
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Zachary M Soler
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Evered JA, LaJeunesse A, Wynn M, Mrig E, Schlesinger M, Grob R. Gaps in benefits, awareness, and comprehension that leave those with long COVID vulnerable. Chronic Illn 2023:17423953231210117. [PMID: 37899735 DOI: 10.1177/17423953231210117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic has left many suffering from long COVID, an episodic and debilitating chronic condition affecting people's ability to work and manage medical expenses. Though the Biden Administration has committed to conducting research and building support programs to alleviate the strain on those affected, in practice, static eligibility criteria for unemployment and disability benefits, patchy insurance coverage, and insufficient paid leave programs have left many people vulnerable. Given the magnitude of long COVID and the dearth to date of large-scale studies about its financial consequences, a focused qualitative analysis of lived experiences is warranted to understand and highlight gaps in the policy landscape. METHODS We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews from 2020 to 2022 with 25 people with experience of long COVID living predominately in the Midwest. RESULTS Our inductive analysis revealed ways people became financially exhausted by uncertain medical care costs and precarious employment that left them trying, often alone, to access benefits. People described both experiences with workplace benefits and attempts to access federal benefits to address unstable employment situations created by protracted and uncertain functional impairments. DISCUSSION We explore pre- and post-pandemic era unemployment, disability, and insurance policies and offer recommendations for better supporting people with long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane A Evered
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States
| | - Alessandra LaJeunesse
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States
| | - Madison Wynn
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States
| | - Emily Mrig
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Mark Schlesinger
- Health Policy & Management, Yale University, New Haven, United States
| | - Rachel Grob
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States
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Hamm J, Holmes G, Martin-Ortega J. The importance of equity in payments to encourage coexistence with large mammals. Conserv Biol 2023:e14207. [PMID: 37855163 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Large mammals often impose significant costs such as livestock depredation or crop foraging on rural communities, and this can lead to the retaliatory killing of threatened wildlife populations. One conservation approach-payments to encourage coexistence (PEC)-aims to reduce these costs through financial mechanisms, such as compensation, insurance, revenue sharing, and conservation performance payments. Little is known about the equitability of PEC, however, despite its moral and instrumental importance, prevalence as a conservation approach, and the fact that other financial tools for conservation are often inequitable. We used examples from the literature to examine the capability of PEC-as currently perceived and implemented-to be inequitable. We recommend improving the equitability of current and future schemes through the cooperative design of schemes that promote compensatory equity and greater consideration of conservation performance payments and by changing the international model for funding PEC to reduce global coexistence inequalities. New and existing programs must address issues of equitability across scales to ensure that conservation efforts are not undermined by diminished social legitimacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Hamm
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - George Holmes
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Julia Martin-Ortega
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Hergenrader A, VanOrmer M, Slotkowski R, Thompson M, Freeman A, Paetz O, Sweeney S, Wegner L, Ali K, Bender N, Chaudhary R, Thoene M, Hanson C, Anderson-Berry A. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels in Maternal and Cord Plasma Are Associated with Maternal Socioeconomic Status. Nutrients 2023; 15:4432. [PMID: 37892508 PMCID: PMC10609830 DOI: 10.3390/nu15204432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a crucial role in fetal growth and neurodevelopment, while omega-6 (n-6) PUFAs have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated that socioeconomic status (SES) influences dietary intake of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs, but few studies have evaluated the association between maternal and cord plasma biomarkers of PUFAs and socioeconomic markers. An IRB-approved study enrolled mother-infant pairs (n = 55) at the time of delivery. Maternal and cord plasma PUFA concentrations were analyzed using gas chromatography. Markers of SES were obtained from validated surveys and maternal medical records. Mann-Whitney U tests and linear regression models were utilized for statistical analysis. Maternal eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (p = 0.02), cord EPA (p = 0.04), and total cord n-3 PUFA concentrations (p = 0.04) were significantly higher in college-educated mothers vs. mothers with less than a college education after adjustment for relevant confounders. Insurance type and household income were not significantly associated with n-3 or n-6 PUFA plasma concentrations after adjustment. Our findings suggest that mothers with lower educational status may be at risk of lower plasma concentrations of n-3 PUFAs at delivery, which could confer increased susceptibility to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Hergenrader
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Matthew VanOrmer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Rebecca Slotkowski
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Maranda Thompson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Alyssa Freeman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Olivia Paetz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Sarah Sweeney
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Lauren Wegner
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Khadijjta Ali
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Nicole Bender
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Ridhi Chaudhary
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Melissa Thoene
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Corrine Hanson
- Medical Nutrition Education Program, College of Allied Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Ann Anderson-Berry
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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Horný M, Yabroff KR, Filson CP, Zheng Z, Ekwueme DU, Richards TB, Howard DH. The cost burden of metastatic prostate cancer in the US populations covered by employer-sponsored health insurance. Cancer 2023; 129:3252-3262. [PMID: 37329254 PMCID: PMC10527879 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent advancements in the clinical management of metastatic prostate cancer include several costly therapies and diagnostic tests. The objective of this study was to provide updated information on the cost to payers attributable to metastatic prostate cancer among men aged 18 to 64 years with employer-sponsored health plans and men aged 18 years or older covered by employer-sponsored Medicare supplement insurance. METHODS By using Merative MarketScan commercial and Medicare supplemental data for 2009-2019, the authors calculated differences in spending between men with metastatic prostate cancer and their matched, prostate cancer-free controls, adjusting for age, enrollment length, comorbidities, and inflation to 2019 US dollars. RESULTS The authors compared 9011 patients who had metastatic prostate cancer and were covered by commercial insurance plans with a group of 44,934 matched controls and also compared 17,899 patients who had metastatic prostate cancer and were covered by employer-sponsored Medicare supplement plans with a group of 87,884 matched controls. The mean age of patients with metastatic prostate cancer was 58.5 years in the commercial samples and 77.8 years in the Medicare supplement samples. Annual spending attributable to metastatic prostate cancer was $55,949 per person-year (95% confidence interval [CI], $54,074-$57,825 per person-year) in the commercial population and $43,682 per person-year (95% CI, $42,022-$45,342 per person-year) in the population covered by Medicare supplement plans, both in 2019 US dollars. CONCLUSIONS The cost burden attributable to metastatic prostate cancer exceeds $55,000 per person-year among men with employer-sponsored health insurance and $43,000 among those covered by employer-sponsored Medicare supplement plans. These estimates can improve the precision of value assessments of clinical and policy approaches to the prevention, screening, and treatment of prostate cancer in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Horný
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - K. Robin Yabroff
- Health Services Research, and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Christopher P. Filson
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory Healthcare, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Urology Service Line, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia, USA
| | - Zhiyuan Zheng
- Health Services Research, and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Donatus U. Ekwueme
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - David H. Howard
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Jiang C, Jain NP, Grant-Kels JM. Ethical implications of limiting Medicaid patients to advanced practice providers. J Am Acad Dermatol 2023:S0190-9622(23)03015-3. [PMID: 37844690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Jiang
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Neelesh Patrick Jain
- Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Jane M Grant-Kels
- Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut; Department of Dermatology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.
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49
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Adkins BD, Booth GS, Jacobs JW, Jones H, Mouslim MC, Henderson MA. Outpatient apheresis billing: A photopheresis model shows that hospital price transparency data remain difficult to interpret. Am J Clin Pathol 2023; 160:404-410. [PMID: 37265164 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqad059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The US health care payment system is complex and difficult to interpret. Although federal regulations require that more data, in the form of charges and negotiated rates, be made available, compliance remains variable. We review chargemaster and negotiated rate values for extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) to assess this variability. We sought to determine the availability of chargemaster and negotiated rates for health care consumers and to assess compliance and pricing among institutions using ECP as a model for apheresis billing. METHODS We obtained ECP chargemaster data and negotiated rates from 20 institutions. We analyzed the availability of ECP chargemaster data and compared values with a previously published historic cohort. We evaluated the availability of negotiated rates and determined relative reimbursement using charge to reimbursement ratios. We determined calculated fines for hospitals based on bed size. RESULTS Chargemaster availability increased from 2019 to 2022, though only 65% (13/20) of hospitals had both chargemaster and negotiated rate data. Chargemaster prices increased significantly from 2019 to 2022 (range, $3,586.83-$34,043.00). We reviewed 1,191 negotiated rates, with institutions averaging 93.6 different rates (SD, 189.5). Negotiated rates were variable, ranging from $3,586.83 to $34,043.00 per procedure. Reimbursement was higher among private insurers compared with reported Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services negotiated rates. Of the 35% (7/20) that lacked chargemaster and negotiated rates, institutions faced an average annual fine of $1,430,800. CONCLUSIONS Despite recent financial penalties, ECP pricing data are often unavailable or inadequate. Current available resources are unlikely to benefit the average health care consumer who requires ECP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D Adkins
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, US
| | - Garrett S Booth
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, US
| | - Jeremy W Jacobs
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, US
| | - Heather Jones
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, US
| | - Morgane C Mouslim
- The Hilltop Institute at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, US
| | - Morgan A Henderson
- The Hilltop Institute at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, US
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50
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Choi DK, Cohen NA, Choden T, Cohen RD, Rubin DT. Delays in Therapy Associated With Current Prior Authorization Process for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2023; 29:1658-1661. [PMID: 36715294 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izad012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Lay Summary
Despite a high approval rate, there were unnecessary delays in therapy due to prior authorizations. This study identified the impact of type of IBD, FDA-labeled indication, and dose escalations on approvals.
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Affiliation(s)
- David K Choi
- From the University of Chicago Medicine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nathaniel A Cohen
- From the University of Chicago Medicine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tenzin Choden
- From the University of Chicago Medicine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Russell D Cohen
- From the University of Chicago Medicine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David T Rubin
- From the University of Chicago Medicine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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