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Unuigbe A, Cintina I, Sheriff J, Koenig L. High-need beneficiary enrollment patterns in Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare. Am J Manag Care 2024; 30:170-175. [PMID: 38603531 DOI: 10.37765/ajmc.2024.89528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES High-need Medicare beneficiaries require elevated levels of care and coordination to manage their conditions. We evaluated the extent to which high-need beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) or traditional Medicare (TM) accountable care organizations (ACOs) relative to TM non-ACOs. STUDY DESIGN Using Medicare claims and MA encounter data, we identified 3 groups of high-need beneficiaries: (1) individuals younger than 65 years with a disability or end-stage kidney disease, (2) frail individuals, and (3) older individuals with major complex or multiple noncomplex chronic conditions. For comparison, we included non-high-need beneficiaries in the analysis, including those with minor complex chronic conditions. METHODS Descriptive analysis of Medicare enrollment patterns and beneficiary characteristics of high-need and other beneficiaries between 2016 and 2019. RESULTS In 2019, high-need beneficiaries accounted for 18 million or 32% of enrollees in TM and MA, an increase of approximately 1 million since 2016, driven by growth in MA. A larger share of beneficiaries in TM ACOs was high need (38%) compared with MA (24%). Although the total count of high-need beneficiaries in TM remained stable from 2016 to 2019, ACOs saw an increase of almost 1.5 million high-need beneficiaries (39% increase), and TM non-ACOs saw a decrease of 1.9 million (23% decrease). CONCLUSIONS We found that high-need beneficiaries were more likely to be in TM non-ACOs than in MA through 2019. However, an increasing number of these beneficiaries are enrolling in MA or aligned with a TM ACO. A projected increase in the population of older adults will increase the economic burden of caring for high-need individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lane Koenig
- KNG Health Consulting, LLC, 6116 Executive Blvd, Ste 770, North Bethesda, MD 20852.
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Khullar D, Schpero WL, Casalino LP, Pierre R, Carter S, Civelek Y, Zhang M, Bond AM. Accountable Care Organization Leader Perspectives on the Medicare Shared Savings Program: A Qualitative Study. JAMA Health Forum 2024; 5:e240126. [PMID: 38488778 PMCID: PMC10943415 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance The Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) includes more than 400 accountable care organizations (ACOs) and is among the largest and longest running value-based payment efforts in the US. However, given recent program reforms and other changes in the health care system, the experiences and perspectives of ACO leaders remain incompletely characterized. Objective To understand the priorities, strategies, and challenges of ACO leaders in MSSP. Design, Setting, and Participants In this qualitative study, interviews were conducted with leaders of 49 ACOs of differing sizes, leadership structures, and geographies from MSSP between September 29 and December 29, 2022. Participants were asked about their clinical and care management efforts; how they engaged frontline clinicians; the process by which they distributed shared savings and added or removed practices; and other factors that they believed influenced their success or failure in the program. Main Outcomes and Measures Leader perspectives on major themes related to ACO initiatives, performance improvement, and the recruitment, engagement, and retention of clinicians. Results Of the 49 ACOs interviewed, 34 were hospital-associated ACOs (69%), 35 were medium or large (>10 000 attributed beneficiaries) (71%), and 17 were rural (35%). The ACOs had a mean (SD) tenure of 8.1 (2.1) years in MSSP. Five major themes emerged: (1) ACO leaders reported a focus on annual wellness visits, coding practices, and care transitions; (2) leaders used both relationship-based and metrics-based strategies to promote clinician engagement; (3) ACOs generally distributed half or more of shared savings to participating practices; (4) ACO recruitment and retention efforts were increasingly influenced by market competition; and (5) some hospital-associated ACOs faced misaligned incentives. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, the ACO leaders reported varied approaches to promoting clinician alignment with ACO goals, an emphasis on increasing annual wellness visits, and new pressures related to growth of other care models. Policymakers hoping to modify or expand the program may wish to incorporate these perspectives into future reforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhruv Khullar
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - William L. Schpero
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- Center for Health Equity, Cornell University, New York, New York
| | - Lawrence P. Casalino
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Reekarl Pierre
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Samuel Carter
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Yasin Civelek
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Manyao Zhang
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Amelia M. Bond
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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Taler G, Boling P, Deligiannidis KE, Kubisiak J, Lee A, Kinosian B. High needs criteria in High Need Accountable Care Organization Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health inequitably limits access to equally high-need Medicare beneficiaries. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024; 72:620-623. [PMID: 37898982 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- George Taler
- Geriatrics and Senior Services, Medstar Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter Boling
- Division of Geriatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Konstantinos E Deligiannidis
- Department of Family Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Bruce Kinosian
- Division of Geriatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Schario ME, Pronovost PJ. Building for Value: A Foundational Structure to Support Population Health. Popul Health Manag 2024; 27:8-12. [PMID: 38324751 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2023.0196] [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] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The journey to value relies heavily on a strong foundation in population health and on supporting systems of care. However, as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and commercial insurers rethink reimbursements to achieve cost savings, both patients and payments to health care organizations are at risk. The case for value-based care is ever stronger yet health systems will have to mature their culture, population health infrastructure, technologies and analytics capabilities, and leadership and management systems. In this article, the authors describe the functional organizational structure of the clinical transformation team responsible for population health in the University Hospitals Accountable Care Organizations (ACO). Based on their experiences building and evolving population health for the University Hospitals ACO, the authors layout the 3 pillars supporting their structure, including operations, clinical design, and data and analytics, and key areas of focus for each pillar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Schario
- University Hospitals Health System, UH Quality Care Network & UH Accountable Care Organization, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Ursuline College, Breen School of Nursing & Health Professions, Pepper Pike, Ohio, USA
| | - Peter J Pronovost
- University Hospitals Health System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Case Western University School of Medicine, Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing, and Weatherhead School of Management, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Schario ME, Pronovost PJ, Runnels P, Corder-Palko T, Carson B, Szubski M. A Path to Risk: Critical Elements of a Structured Approach. Popul Health Manag 2024; 27:49-54. [PMID: 38324750 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2023.0197] [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] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Value-based care arrangements have been the cornerstone of accountable care for decades. Risk arrangements with government and commercial insurance plans are ubiquitous, with most contracts focusing on upside risk only, meaning payers reward providers for good performance without punishing them for poor performance on quality and cost. However, payers are increasingly moving into downside risk arrangements, bringing to mind global capitation in the 1990s wherein several health systems failed. In this article, the authors focus on their framework for succeeding in value-based arrangements at University Hospitals Accountable Care Organization, including essential structural elements that provider organizations need to successfully assume downside risk in value-based arrangements. These elements include quality performance and reporting, risk adjustment, utilization management, care management and clinical services, network integrity, technology, and contracting and financial reconciliation. Each of these elements has an important place in the strategic roadmap to value, even if downside risk is not taken. This roadmap was developed through an applied approach and intends to fill the gap in published practical models of how provider organizations can maneuver value-based arrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Schario
- UH Quality Care Network & UH Accountable Care Organization, University Hospitals Health System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Ursuline College, Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions, Pepper Pike, Ohio, USA
| | - Peter J Pronovost
- University Hospitals Health System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing, and Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Patrick Runnels
- Population Health, University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Angelo M, Souder A, Poole A, Mirsch T, Souder E. Cost Reduction and Utilization Patterns in a Medicare Accountable Care Organization Using Home-Based Palliative Care Services. Popul Health Manag 2024; 27:55-59. [PMID: 38011716 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2023.0224] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are often tasked with helping providers to deliver care efficiently and with higher quality outcomes. For an ACO to succeed in delivering efficient care, it is important to direct resources toward patients who exhibit the greatest levels of opportunity while focusing attention toward mitigating their needs. Home-based palliative care (HBPC) services are known to address patient needs for those with serious illness while decreasing the total cost of care (TCC). In this retrospective review, ACO researchers reviewed cost, quality, and utilization patterns for 3418 beneficiaries within a Medicare Shared Saving Program approaching the end of life comparing decedents who received HBPC versus those who did not receive the service. Those individuals who received HBPC services were significantly less likely to be hospitalized (51% reduction in the HBPC group), more likely to use hospice (70% vs. 43%; P = 0.001), and their TCC was less than that of those who did not receive the service ($27,203 vs. $36,089: P = 0.0163). Although more research needs to be done to understand the specific components of care delivery that are helpful in decreasing unnecessary utilization, in this retrospective review in an accountable care population, HBPC is associated with a significant decrease in cost and utilization in a population approaching end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Angelo
- Supportive Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Delaware Valley ACO, Humana Inc., Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | | | - Angela Poole
- Delaware Valley ACO, Humana Inc., Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Terre Mirsch
- Main Line Health System, HomeCare and Hospice, Radnor, Pennsylvania, USA
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van den Broek‐Altenburg EM, Benson JS, Atherly AJ. Examining alignment of community health teams' preferences for health, equity, and spending with state all-payer waiver priorities: A discrete choice experiment. Health Serv Res 2024; 59 Suppl 1:e14257. [PMID: 37963450 PMCID: PMC10796287 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14257] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The state of Vermont has a statewide waiver from the centers for medicare and medicaid services to allow all-payer Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). The Vermont all-payer model (VAPM) waiver is layered upon previous reforms establishing regional community health teams (CHTs) and medical homes. The waiver is intended to incentivize healthcare value and quality and create alignment between health system payers, providers, and CHTs. The objective of this study was to examine CHT's trade-offs and preferences for health, equity, and spending and the alignment with VAPM priorities. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING Data were gathered from a survey and discrete choice experiment among CHT leadership and CHT team members of the 13 CHTs in Vermont. STUDY DESIGN We used conditional logit models to model the choice as a function of its characteristics (attributes) and mixed logit models to analyze whether preferences for programs varied by persons and roles within CHTs. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS There were 60 respondents who completed the survey online with 14 choice tasks, with three program options in each task, for a total sample size of 2520. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We found that CHTs prioritized programs in the community health plan and those with quantitative evidence of effectiveness. They were less likely to choose either programs targeting racial and ethnic minorities or programs having a small effect on a large population. Preferences did not vary across individual or community attributes. Program priorities of the VAPM, especially healthcare spending, were not prioritized. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the new VAPM does not automatically create system alignment: CHTs tended to prioritize local needs and voices. The statewide priorities are less important to CHTs, which have excellent internal alignment. This creates potential disconnection between state and community health goals. However, CHTs and the VAPM prioritize similar populations, indicating an opportunity to increase alignment by allowing flexible programs tailored to local needs. CHTs also prioritized programs with a strong evidence base, suggesting another potential avenue to create system alignment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jamie S. Benson
- Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Adam J. Atherly
- College of Health ProfessionsVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
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Newton H, Miller-Rosales C, Crawford M, Cai A, Brunette M, Meara E. Availability of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Among Accountable Care Organizations: Evidence From a National Survey. Psychiatr Serv 2024; 75:182-185. [PMID: 37614155 PMCID: PMC10895446 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20230087] [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] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This report aimed to assess how accountable care organizations (ACOs) addressed ongoing opioid use disorder treatment needs over time. METHODS Responses from the 2018 (N=308 organizations) and 2022 (N=276) National Survey of Accountable Care Organizations (response rate=55% in both years) were used to examine changes in availability of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) among ACOs with Medicare and Medicaid contracts. RESULTS The percentage of respondents offering at least one MOUD grew from 39% in 2018 to 52% in 2022 (p<0.01). MOUDs were more likely to be available in 2022 among ACOs with (vs. without) in-network substance use treatment facilities (80% vs. 33%, p<0.001). The percentage of 2022 respondents who reported offering MOUD was similar in states with high versus low opioid overdose mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS Despite growing availability of MOUD among ACOs, nearly half reported not offering any MOUD in 2022, and the availability of MOUD did not increase with treatment need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Newton
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill (Newton); Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Miller-Rosales); Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire (Crawford); Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Cai, Meara); Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire (Brunette)
| | - Chris Miller-Rosales
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill (Newton); Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Miller-Rosales); Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire (Crawford); Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Cai, Meara); Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire (Brunette)
| | - Maia Crawford
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill (Newton); Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Miller-Rosales); Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire (Crawford); Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Cai, Meara); Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire (Brunette)
| | - Arno Cai
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill (Newton); Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Miller-Rosales); Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire (Crawford); Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Cai, Meara); Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire (Brunette)
| | - Mary Brunette
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill (Newton); Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Miller-Rosales); Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire (Crawford); Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Cai, Meara); Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire (Brunette)
| | - Ellen Meara
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill (Newton); Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Miller-Rosales); Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire (Crawford); Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Cai, Meara); Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire (Brunette)
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9
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Harris S, Paynter K, Guinn M, Fox J, Moore N, Maddox TM, Lyons PG. Post-hospitalization remote monitoring for patients with heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in an accountable care organization. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:69. [PMID: 38218820 PMCID: PMC10787416 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10496-6] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-hospitalization remote patient monitoring (RPM) has potential to improve health outcomes for high-risk patients with chronic medical conditions. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which RPM for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with reductions in post-hospitalization mortality, hospital readmission, and ED visits within an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). METHODS Nonrandomized prospective study of patients in an ACO offered enrollment in RPM upon hospital discharge between February 2021 and December 2021. RPM comprised of vital sign monitoring equipment (blood pressure monitor, scale, pulse oximeter), tablet device with symptom tracking software and educational material, and nurse-provided oversight and triage. Expected enrollment was for at least 30-days of monitoring, and outcomes were followed for 6 months following enrollment. The co-primary outcomes were (a) the composite of death, hospital admission, or emergency care visit within 180 days of eligibility, and (b) time to occurrence of this composite. Secondary outcomes were each component individually, the composite of death or hospital admission, and outpatient office visits. Adjusted analyses involved doubly robust estimation to address confounding by indication. RESULTS Of 361 patients offered remote monitoring (251 with CHF and 110 with COPD), 140 elected to enroll (106 with CHF and 34 with COPD). The median duration of RPM-enrollment was 54 days (IQR 34-85). Neither the 6-month frequency of the co-primary composite outcome (59% vs 66%, FDR p-value = 0.47) nor the time to this composite (median 29 vs 38 days, FDR p-value = 0.60) differed between the groups, but 6-month mortality was lower in the RPM group (6.4% vs 17%, FDR p-value = 0.02). After adjustment for confounders, RPM enrollment was associated with nonsignificantly decreased odds for the composite outcome (adjusted OR [aOR] 0.68, 99% CI 0.25-1.34, FDR p-value 0.30) and lower 6-month mortality (aOR 0.41, 99% CI 0.00-0.86, FDR p-value 0.20). CONCLUSIONS RPM enrollment may be associated with improved health outcomes, including 6-month mortality, for selected patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Harris
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | - Julie Fox
- BJC Medical Group, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | - Patrick G Lyons
- Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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Roberts RL, Mohan DP, Cherry KD, Sanky S, Huffman TR, Lukasko C, Comito A, Hashemi D, Menn ZK, Fofanova TY, Andrieni JD. Deployment of a Digital Advance Care Planning Platform at an Accountable Care Organization. J Am Board Fam Med 2024; 36:966-975. [PMID: 37907349 DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2023.230133r2] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advance care planning (ACP), a process of sharing one's values and preferences for future medical treatments, can improve quality of life, reduce loved ones' anxiety, and decrease unwanted medical utilization and costs. Despite benefits to patients and health care systems, ACP uptake often remains low, due partially to lack of knowledge and difficulty initiating discussions. Digital tools may help reduce these barriers to entry. METHODS We retrospectively examined data from pilot deployment of Koda Health patient-facing ACP among Houston Methodist Coordinated Care patients, for quality improvement (QI) purposes. Patients referred by nurse navigators could access Koda's digital platform, complete ACP, and share the legal documentation generated. Analyzed measures include usage rates and ACP-related decisions within the platform. RESULTS Of eligible patients (n = 203), 52.7% voluntarily completed their plan. Engagement and completion rates were similar across demographics. Patients indicated majority preference (66.4%) toward spending the last days of life at home. Most patients indicated wanting no life-support intervention if quality of life became unacceptable (51 to 71% across 4 treatments). Life-support decisions were similar between demographic categories, excepting CPR and dialysis, wherein a greater portion of Black patients than White patients preferred at least trial intervention, rather than none. CONCLUSIONS As an observational QI analysis, limitations include bounded geographical reach and lack of data on ACP impacts to subsequent health care utilization, which future studies will address. Findings suggest that digital health tools like Koda can effectively facilitate equitable ACP access and may help support health systems and providers in offering comprehensive ACP.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lynae Roberts
- From the Koda Health, Houston, TX, USA (RLR, DPM, KDC, SS, TRH, CL, AC, DH, TYF); Population Health, Houston Methodist Coordinated Care Accountable Care Organization, Houston, TX (ZKM, JDA); Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY (JDA); Houston Methodist, Department of Medicine, Houston TX (JDA).
| | - Desh P Mohan
- From the Koda Health, Houston, TX, USA (RLR, DPM, KDC, SS, TRH, CL, AC, DH, TYF); Population Health, Houston Methodist Coordinated Care Accountable Care Organization, Houston, TX (ZKM, JDA); Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY (JDA); Houston Methodist, Department of Medicine, Houston TX (JDA)
| | - Katelin D Cherry
- From the Koda Health, Houston, TX, USA (RLR, DPM, KDC, SS, TRH, CL, AC, DH, TYF); Population Health, Houston Methodist Coordinated Care Accountable Care Organization, Houston, TX (ZKM, JDA); Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY (JDA); Houston Methodist, Department of Medicine, Houston TX (JDA)
| | - Samantha Sanky
- From the Koda Health, Houston, TX, USA (RLR, DPM, KDC, SS, TRH, CL, AC, DH, TYF); Population Health, Houston Methodist Coordinated Care Accountable Care Organization, Houston, TX (ZKM, JDA); Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY (JDA); Houston Methodist, Department of Medicine, Houston TX (JDA)
| | - Taylor R Huffman
- From the Koda Health, Houston, TX, USA (RLR, DPM, KDC, SS, TRH, CL, AC, DH, TYF); Population Health, Houston Methodist Coordinated Care Accountable Care Organization, Houston, TX (ZKM, JDA); Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY (JDA); Houston Methodist, Department of Medicine, Houston TX (JDA)
| | - Christina Lukasko
- From the Koda Health, Houston, TX, USA (RLR, DPM, KDC, SS, TRH, CL, AC, DH, TYF); Population Health, Houston Methodist Coordinated Care Accountable Care Organization, Houston, TX (ZKM, JDA); Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY (JDA); Houston Methodist, Department of Medicine, Houston TX (JDA)
| | - Anthony Comito
- From the Koda Health, Houston, TX, USA (RLR, DPM, KDC, SS, TRH, CL, AC, DH, TYF); Population Health, Houston Methodist Coordinated Care Accountable Care Organization, Houston, TX (ZKM, JDA); Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY (JDA); Houston Methodist, Department of Medicine, Houston TX (JDA)
| | - Dara Hashemi
- From the Koda Health, Houston, TX, USA (RLR, DPM, KDC, SS, TRH, CL, AC, DH, TYF); Population Health, Houston Methodist Coordinated Care Accountable Care Organization, Houston, TX (ZKM, JDA); Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY (JDA); Houston Methodist, Department of Medicine, Houston TX (JDA)
| | - Zachary K Menn
- From the Koda Health, Houston, TX, USA (RLR, DPM, KDC, SS, TRH, CL, AC, DH, TYF); Population Health, Houston Methodist Coordinated Care Accountable Care Organization, Houston, TX (ZKM, JDA); Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY (JDA); Houston Methodist, Department of Medicine, Houston TX (JDA)
| | - Tatiana Y Fofanova
- From the Koda Health, Houston, TX, USA (RLR, DPM, KDC, SS, TRH, CL, AC, DH, TYF); Population Health, Houston Methodist Coordinated Care Accountable Care Organization, Houston, TX (ZKM, JDA); Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY (JDA); Houston Methodist, Department of Medicine, Houston TX (JDA)
| | - Julia D Andrieni
- From the Koda Health, Houston, TX, USA (RLR, DPM, KDC, SS, TRH, CL, AC, DH, TYF); Population Health, Houston Methodist Coordinated Care Accountable Care Organization, Houston, TX (ZKM, JDA); Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY (JDA); Houston Methodist, Department of Medicine, Houston TX (JDA)
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Berman ME, Lowentritt JE. Chronic kidney disease and value-based care: Lessons from innovation, iteration, and ideation in primary care. Hemodial Int 2024; 28:6-16. [PMID: 37936554 DOI: 10.1111/hdi.13126] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Value-based primary care has reduced health care costs, improved the quality of rendered care, and enhanced the patient experience. Value-based care emphasizes prevention, outreach, follow-up, patient engagement, and comprehensive, whole-person health. Primary care Accountable Care Organizations have leveraged technology-enabled workflows, practice transformation, and cutting-edge data and analytics to achieve success. These efforts are increasingly aided by predictive modeling used in the context of patient identification and prioritization algorithms. Value-based kidney care programs can glean salient takeaways from successful value-based primary care methods and models. The kidney care community is experiencing unprecedented transformation as novel payer programs and financial models burgeon. The authors contend these efforts can be accelerated by the adoption of techniques honed in value-based primary care. To optimize value-based kidney care, though, nephrology thought leaders must transcend the archetype of value-based primary care. To do so, the nephrology community must: (1) impel behavioral change among fee-for-service adherents; (2) harness emerging policy, guidelines, and quality measures; (3) adopt innovative tools, technologies, and therapies. In aggregating lessons from value-based primary care-and leveraging novel methodologies and approaches-the kidney care community will be better equipped to achieve the quadruple aim for kidney care.
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Shrestha M, Sharma H, Mueller KJ. ACO Clinicians Have Higher Medicare Part B Medical Services Payments Than MIPS Clinicians Under the Quality Payment Program. Inquiry 2024; 61:469580241240177. [PMID: 38515280 PMCID: PMC10958801 DOI: 10.1177/00469580241240177] [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: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The Quality Payment Program (QPP) is a Medicare value-based payment program with 2 tracks: -Advanced Alternative Payment Models (A-APMs), including two-sided risk Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). In 2020, A-APM eligible ACO clinicians received an additional 5% positive, and MIPS clinicians received up to 5% negative or 2% positive performance-based adjustments to their Medicare Part B medical services payments. It is unclear whether the different payment adjustments have differential impacts on total medical services payments for ACO and MIPS participants. We compare Medicare Part B medical services payments received by primary care clinicians participating in ACO and MIPS programs using Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Public Use Files from 2014 to 2018 using difference-in-differences regressions. We have 254 395 observations from 50 879 unique clinicians (ACO = 37.86%; MIPS = 62.14%). Regression results suggest that ACO clinicians have significantly higher Medicare Part B medical services payments ($1003.88; 95% CI: [579.08, 1428.69]) when compared to MIPS clinicians. Our findings suggest that ACO clinicians had a greater increase in medical services payments when compared to MIPS clinicians following QPP participation. Increased payments for Medicare Part B medical services among ACO clinicians may be driven partly by higher payment adjustment rates for ACO clinicians for Part B medical services. However, increased Part B medical services payments could also reflect clinicians switching to increased outpatient services to prevent potentially costly inpatient services. Policymakers should examine both aspects when evaluating QPP effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Shrestha
- The University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Hari Sharma
- The University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Keith J. Mueller
- The University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Coyne J, Gutman R, Ferraro C, Muhlestein D. Financial Performance of Accountable Care Organizations: A 5-Year National Empirical Analysis. J Healthc Manag 2024; 69:74-86. [PMID: 38175536 DOI: 10.1097/jhm-d-22-00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
GOALS Of 513 accountable care organizations (ACOs) participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) in 2020, 67% generated a positive shared savings of approximately $2.3 billion. This research aimed to examine their financial performance trends and drivers over time. METHODS The unit of analysis was the ACO in each year of the study period from 2016 to 2020. The dependent variable was the ACOs' total shared savings earned annually per beneficiary. The independent variables included ACO age, risk model, clinician staffing type, and provider type (hybrid, hospital-led, or physician-led). Covariates were the average risk score among beneficiaries, payer type, and calendar year. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) public use files (PUFs) and a commercial healthcare data aggregator were the data sources. RESULTS ACOs' earned shared savings grew annually by 35%, while the proportions of ACOs with positive shared savings grew by 21%. For 1-year increase in ACO age, an additional $0.57 of shared savings per beneficiary was observed. ACOs with two-sided risk contracting were associated with an average marginal increase of $109 in shared savings per beneficiary compared to ACOs with one-sided risk contracting. Primary care physicians were associated with the greatest increase in earned shared savings per beneficiary. In contrast, nurse practitioners/physician assistants/clinical nurse specialists were associated with a reduction in earned shared savings. Under a one-sided risk model, hospital-led ACOs were associated with $18 higher average shared savings earning per beneficiary compared to hybrid ACOs, while physician-led ACOs were associated with lower average saved shared earnings per beneficiary at -$2 compared to hybrid ACOs. Provider-type results were not statistically significant at the 5% nominal level. No statistically significant differences were observed between provider types under a two-sided risk model. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS For all ACO provider types, building broader primary care provider networks was correlated with positive financial results. Future research should examine whether ACOs are conducting specific preventive screenings for cancer or monitoring conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, obesity, mental disorders, and joint disorders. Such studies may answer health policy and strategy questions about the effects of incentives for improved ACO performance in serving a healthier population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Coyne
- School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
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Bynum JPW, Montoya A, Lawton EJ, Gibbons JB, Banerjee M, Meddings J, Norton EC. Accountable Care Organization Attribution and Post-Acute Skilled Nursing Facility Outcomes for People Living With Dementia. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:53-57.e2. [PMID: 38081322 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.10.031] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Under the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model, reductions in healthcare spending have been achieved by targeting post-acute care, particularly in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). People with Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) are frequently discharged to SNF for post-acute care and may be at particular risk for unintended consequences of SNF cost reduction efforts. We examined SNF length of stay (LOS) and outcomes among ACO-attributed and non-ACO-attributed ADRD patients. DESIGN Observational serial cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Twenty percent national random sample of fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries (2013-2017) to identify beneficiaries with a diagnosis of ADRD and with a hospitalization followed by SNF admission (n = 263,676). METHODS Our primary covariate of interest was ACO (n = 66,842) and non-ACO (n = 196,834) attribution. Hospital readmission and death were measured for 3 time periods (<30, 31-90, and 91-180 days) following hospital discharge. We used 2-stage least squares regression to predict LOS as a function of ACO attribution, and patient and facility characteristics. RESULTS ACO-attributed ADRD patients have shorter SNF LOS than their non-ACO counterparts (31.7 vs 32.8 days; P < .001). Hospital readmission rates for ACO vs non-ACO differed at ≤30 days (13.9% vs 14.6%; P < .001) but were similar at 31-90 days and 91-180 days. No significant difference was observed in mortality post-hospital discharge for ACO vs non-ACO at ≤30 days; however, slightly higher mortality was observed at 31-90 days (8.4% vs 8.8%; P = .002) and 91-180 days (7.6% vs 7.9%; P = .011). No significant association was found between LOS and readmission, with small effects on mortality favoring ACOs in fully adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Being an ACO-attributed patient is associated with shorter SNF LOS but is not associated with changes in readmission or mortality after controlling for other factors. Policies that shorten LOS may not have adverse effects on outcomes for people living with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie P W Bynum
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Ana Montoya
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Emily J Lawton
- Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jason B Gibbons
- Department of Health Policy and Managing, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mousumi Banerjee
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jennifer Meddings
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Edward C Norton
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Ryan AM, Markovitz AA. Estimated Savings From the Medicare Shared Savings Program. JAMA Health Forum 2023; 4:e234449. [PMID: 38100095 PMCID: PMC10724775 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.4449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance The Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) is the largest and most important alternative payment model that has been implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Its budgetary impact to CMS is not well understood. Objective To evaluate the association between the MSSP and net savings to CMS for performance years 2013 to 2021. Design, Setting, and Participants The economic evaluation used publicly reported data on the MSSP from April 1, 2012, to December 31, 2021, and estimates extracted from 2 prior studies. Main Outcomes and Measures Net savings to CMS, calculated as the difference between incentive payments to MSSP accountable care organizations and gross spending reductions. Incentive payments were calculated using the publicly reported data. The association of the MSSP with gross medical spending in traditional Medicare was extracted from 2 prior studies. Spillovers of the MSSP to Medicare Advantage (MA) were estimated by evaluating how gross spending reductions from the MSSP impacted benchmark payments to MA plans. Savings from traditional Medicare and MA were then combined. Results The MSSP was associated with net losses to traditional Medicare of between $584 million and $1.423 billion over the study period. Savings from MSSP-related reductions to MA benchmarks totaled between $4.480 billion and $4.923 billion. Across traditional Medicare and MA, the MSSP was associated with savings of between $3.057 billion and $4.339 billion. This represents approximately 0.075% of combined spending for traditional Medicare and MA over the study period. Conclusions and Relevance This economic evaluation found that the MSSP was associated with net losses to traditional Medicare, net savings to MA, and overall net savings to CMS. The total budget impact of the MSSP to CMS was small and continues to be uncertain due to challenges in estimating the effects of the MSSP on gross spending, particularly in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Ryan
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island
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Schiavoni KH, Flom M, Blumenthal KJ, Orav EJ, Hefferon M, Maher E, Boudreau AA, Giuliano CP, Chambers B, Mandell MH, Vienneau M, Mendu ML, Vogeli C. Cost, Utilization, and Patient and Family Experience With ACO-Based Pediatric Care Management. Pediatrics 2023; 152:e2022058268. [PMID: 38013488 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-058268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs have high healthcare utilization, fragmented care, and unmet health needs. Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) increasingly use pediatric care management to improve quality and reduce unnecessary utilization. We evaluated effects of pediatric care management on total medical expense (TME) and utilization; perceived quality of care coordination, unmet needs, and patient and family experience; and differential impact by payor, risk score, care manager discipline, and behavioral health diagnosis. METHODS Mixed-methods analysis including claims using quasi-stepped-wedge design pre and postenrollment to estimate difference-in-differences, participant survey, and semistructured interviews. Participants included 1321 patients with medical, behavioral, or social needs, high utilization, in Medicaid or commercial ACOs, and enrolled in multidisciplinary, primary care-embedded care management. RESULTS TME significantly declined 1 to 6 months postenrollment and continued through 19 to 24 months (-$645.48 per member per month, P < .001). Emergency department and inpatient utilization significantly decreased 7 to 12 months post-enrollment and persisted through 19 to 24 months (-29% emergency department, P = .012; -82% inpatient, P < .001). Of respondents, 87.2% of survey respondents were somewhat or very satisfied with care coordination, 56.1% received education coordination when needed, and 81.5% had no unmet health needs. Emergency department or inpatient utilization decreases were consistent across payors and care manager disciplines, occurred sooner with behavioral health diagnoses, and were significant among children with above-median risk scores. Satisfaction and experience were equivalent across groups, with more unmet needs and frustration with above-median risk scores. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric care management in multipayor ACOs may effectively reduce TME and utilization and clinically provide high-quality care coordination, including education and family stress, with high participant satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine H Schiavoni
- Mass General Brigham, Population Health Management, Somerville, Massachusetts
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Megan Flom
- Mass General Brigham, Population Health Management, Somerville, Massachusetts
| | - Karen J Blumenthal
- Mass General Brigham, Population Health Management, Somerville, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - E John Orav
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Margaret Hefferon
- Mass General Brigham, Population Health Management, Somerville, Massachusetts
| | - Erin Maher
- Mass General Brigham, Population Health Management, Somerville, Massachusetts
| | - Alexy Arauz Boudreau
- Mass General Brigham, Population Health Management, Somerville, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christopher P Giuliano
- Mass General Brigham, Population Health Management, Somerville, Massachusetts
- Affiliated Pediatric Practices, Dedham, Massachusetts
- Mass General Brigham Community Physicians Organization, Somerville, Massachusetts
| | - Barbara Chambers
- Mass General Brigham, Population Health Management, Somerville, Massachusetts
- Mass General Brigham Community Physicians Organization, Somerville, Massachusetts
| | - Mark H Mandell
- Mass General Brigham, Population Health Management, Somerville, Massachusetts
- Pediatric Associates of Greater Salem, Salem, Massachusetts
| | - Maryann Vienneau
- Mass General Brigham, Population Health Management, Somerville, Massachusetts
| | - Mallika L Mendu
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christine Vogeli
- Mass General Brigham, Population Health Management, Somerville, Massachusetts
- The Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Mick EO, Sabatino MJ, Alcusky MJ, Eanet FE, Pearson WS, Ash AS. The role of primary care providers in testing for sexually transmitted infections in the MassHealth Medicaid program. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295024. [PMID: 38033169 PMCID: PMC10688870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) under an accountable care model of health care delivery. Data sources were claims and encounter records from the Massachusetts Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (MassHealth) for enrollees aged 13 to 64 years in 2019. This cross-sectional study examines the one-year prevalence of STI testing and evaluates social determinants of health and other patient characteristics as predictors of such testing in both primary care and other settings. We identified visits with STI testing using procedure codes and primary care settings from provider code types. Among 740,417 members, 55% were female, 11% were homeless or unstably housed, and 15% had some level of disability. While the prevalence of testing in any setting was 20% (N = 151,428), only 57,215 members had testing performed in a primary care setting, resulting in an 8% prevalence of testing by primary care clinicians (PCCs). Members enrolled in a managed care organization (MCO) were significantly less likely to be tested by a primary care provider than those enrolled in accountable care organization (ACO) plans that have specific incentives for primary care practices to coordinate care. Enrollees in a Primary Care ACO had the highest rates of STI testing, both overall and by primary care providers. Massachusetts' ACO delivery systems may be able to help practices increase STI screening with explicit incentives for STI testing in primary care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric O. Mick
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | - Meagan J. Sabatino
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | - Matthew J. Alcusky
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | - Frances E. Eanet
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | - William S. Pearson
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Arlene S. Ash
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States of America
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Menchaca AD, Style CC, Wang L, Cooper JN, Minneci PC, Olutoye OO. An Accountable Care Organization Maintains Access for Appendicitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Surg Res 2023; 291:336-341. [PMID: 37506433 PMCID: PMC10285208 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.06.004] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It has been reported that pediatric patients experienced a delay in treatment for acute appendicitis during the pandemic, resulting in increased rates of complicated appendicitis. We investigated the association of the COVID-19 pandemic and the incidence and severity of acute appendicitis among pediatric Medicaid patients using a population-based approach. METHODS The claims database of Partners For Kids, a pediatric Medicaid accountable care organization (ACO) in Ohio, was queried for cases of acute appendicitis from April to August 2017-2020. The monthly rate of acute appendicitis/100,000 covered lives was calculated each year and compared over time. Rates of complicated appendicitis were also compared. Diagnosis code validation for classification as complicated or uncomplicated appendicitis was performed for patients treated at our hospital. RESULTS During the study period, 465 unique cases of acute appendicitis were identified. Forty percent (186/465) were coded as complicated. No significant difference in the incidence of acute appendicitis cases was observed across the 4 y, either in an overall comparison or in pairwise comparisons (P > 0.15 for all). The proportion of acute appendicitis cases that were coded as complicated did vary significantly over the 4-year study period (P = 0.005); this was due to this proportion being significantly higher in 2018 than in either 2019 (P = 0.005 versus 2018) or 2020 (P = 0.03 versus 2018). CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with reduced access to treatment for acute appendicitis among patients in a pediatric Medicaid ACO. This suggests that an ACO may promote continued healthcare access for their covered population during an unexpected crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia D Menchaca
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of General Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Candace C Style
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ling Wang
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jennifer N Cooper
- Center for Surgical Outcomes Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Peter C Minneci
- Center for Surgical Outcomes Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Oluyinka O Olutoye
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio.
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Mechanic RE. All-payer value-based contracting in organizations with Medicare ACOs. Am J Manag Care 2023; 29:601-604. [PMID: 37948647 DOI: 10.37765/ajmc.2023.89456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To measure the prevalence of non-Medicare value-based contracting and participation in contracts with downside risk among organizations participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis of 2022 accountable care organization (ACO) survey. METHODS The author analyzed surveys from 100 organizations participating in the MSSP that reported the number of covered lives they have in value-based contracts in traditional Medicare (ACOs), Medicare Advantage (MA), commercial payers, Medicaid managed care organizations, Medicaid, and direct-to-employer arrangements. We analyzed the distribution of covered lives across shared-savings, shared-risk, and full-risk contracts and analyzed changes between 2018 and 2022. RESULTS Respondents reported 15.5 million covered lives in value-based contracts. All respondents have Medicare ACO contracts, and roughly 75% reported value-based contracts with commercial and MA plans. Approximately one-third reported such contracts with Medicaid managed care plans. Seventy percent of covered lives in respondents' Medicare ACO contracts included downside risk for losses compared with 51% of lives in commercial plans and 45% in MA plans. Compared with a similar 2018 survey, the proportion of respondents in value-based MA contracts doubled, and the proportion in commercial contracts rose by half. CONCLUSIONS Organizations that participate in Medicare ACO models have substantially increased their participation in value-based contracts with other payers. They reported a higher proportion of Medicare ACO covered lives in downside risk arrangements than in commercial or MA contracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Mechanic
- Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South St, MS035, Waltham, MA 02454.
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Hockenberry JM, Wen H, Druss BG, Loux T, Johnston KJ. No Improvement In Mental Health Treatment Or Patient-Reported Outcomes At Medicare ACOs For Depression And Anxiety Disorders. Health Aff (Millwood) 2023; 42:1478-1487. [PMID: 37931192 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Accountable care organizations (ACOs) have become Medicare's dominant care model because policy makers believe that ACOs will improve the quality and efficiency of care for chronic conditions. Depression and anxiety disorders are the most prevalent and undertreated chronic mental health conditions in Medicare. Yet it is unknown whether ACOs influence treatment and outcomes for these conditions. To explore these questions, this longitudinal study used data from the 2016-19 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, linked to validated depression and anxiety symptom instruments, among diagnosed and undiagnosed fee-for-service Medicare patients with these conditions. Among patients not enrolled in ACOs at baseline, those who newly enrolled in ACOs in the following year were 24 percent less likely to have their depression or anxiety treated during the year than patients who remained unenrolled in ACOs, and they saw no relative improvements at twelve months in their depression and anxiety symptoms. Better-designed incentives are needed to motivate Medicare ACOs to improve mental health treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hefei Wen
- Hefei Wen, Harvard University and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Travis Loux
- Travis Loux, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kenton J Johnston
- Kenton J. Johnston , Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
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Kerrissey M, Jamakandi S, Alcusky M, Himmelstein J, Rosenthal M. Integration on the Frontlines of Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations and Associations With Perceived Care Quality, Health Equity, and Satisfaction. Med Care Res Rev 2023; 80:519-529. [PMID: 37232171 DOI: 10.1177/10775587231173474] [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] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Amid enthusiasm about accountable care organizations (ACOs) in Medicaid, little is known about the primary care practices engaging in them. We leverage a survey of administrators within a random sample (stratified by ACO) of 225 practices joining Massachusetts Medicaid ACOs (64% response rate; 225 responses). We measure the integration of processes with distinct entities: consulting clinicians, eye specialists for diabetes care, mental/behavioral care providers, and long-term and social services agencies. Using multivariable regression, we examine organizational correlates of integration and assess integration's relationships with care quality improvement, health equity, and satisfaction with the ACO. Integration varied across practices. Clinical integration was positively associated with perceived care quality improvement; social service integration was positively associated with addressing equity; and mental/behavioral and long-term service integration were positively associated with ACO satisfaction (all p < .05). Understanding differences in integration at the practice level is vital for sharpening policy, setting expectations, and supporting improvement in Medicaid ACOs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew Alcusky
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, USA
| | - Jay Himmelstein
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, USA
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Kachoria AG, Sefton L, Miller F, Leary A, Goff SL, Nicholson J, Himmelstein J, Alcusky M. Facilitators and Barriers to Care Coordination Between Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations and Community Partners: Early Lessons From Massachusetts. Med Care Res Rev 2023; 80:507-518. [PMID: 37098858 PMCID: PMC10469475 DOI: 10.1177/10775587231168010] [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: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Care coordination is central to health care delivery system reform efforts to control costs, improve quality, and enhance patient outcomes, especially for individuals with complex medical and social needs. The potential impact of addressing health-related social needs further illustrates the importance of coordinating health care services with community-based organizations that provide social services and support. This study offers early findings from a unique approach to care coordination delivered by 17 Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations and 27 partnering community-based organizations for individuals with behavioral health conditions and/or those needing long-term services and supports. Interview data from 54 key informants were qualitatively analyzed to understand factors affecting cross-sector integrated care. Key themes emerged, essential to implementing the new model statewide: clarifying roles and responsibilities; promoting communication; facilitating information exchange; developing workforce capacity; building essential relationships; and responsive, supportive program management through real-time feedback, financial incentives, technical assistance, and flexibility from the state Medicaid program.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Amy Leary
- UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, USA
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Tsuei SHT, Alcusky M, Florio C, Kerrissey MJ. Trade-offs in locational choices for care coordination resources in accountable care organizations. Health Care Manage Rev 2023; 48:301-310. [PMID: 37615940 DOI: 10.1097/hmr.0000000000000378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Care coordination is central to accountable care organizations (ACOs), especially in Medicaid where many patients have complex medical and social needs. Little is known about how to best organize care coordination resources in this context, particularly whether to centralize them. We examined how care coordinators' location, management, and colocation of both (within ACO headquarters, practice sites, or other organizations) relate to care quality and coordination. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of surveys administered to a sample of practice sites covering all 17 Medicaid ACOs in Massachusetts ( n = 225, response rate = 64%). We applied controlled, cluster-robust regressions, adjusting the significance threshold for the number of ACO clusters, to assess how clinical information sharing across settings, care quality improvement, knowledge of social service referral, and cross-resource coordination (i.e., the ability of multiple resources to work well together) relate to where care coordinators were physically located and/or managed. RESULTS Centralizing care coordinators at ACO headquarters was associated with greater information sharing. Embedding care coordinators in practices was associated with greater care quality improvement. Embedding coordinators at other organizations was associated with less information sharing and care quality improvement. Managing coordinators at practice sites and other organizations were associated with better care quality improvement and cross-resource coordination, respectively. Colocating the two functions showed no significant differences. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Choosing care coordinators' locations may present trade-offs. ACOs may strategically choose embedding care coordinators at practice sites for enhanced care quality versus centralizing them at the ACO to facilitate information sharing.
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Landon BE, Lam MB, Landrum MB, McWilliams JM, Meneades L, Wright AA, Keating NL. Opportunities for Savings in Risk Arrangements for Oncologic Care. JAMA Health Forum 2023; 4:e233124. [PMID: 37713209 PMCID: PMC10504611 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.3124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance As the US accelerates adoption of alternative payment through global payment models such as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) or Medicare Advantage (MA), high spending for cancer care is a potential target for savings. Objective To quantify the extent to which ACOs and other risk-bearing organizations operating in a specific geographic area (hospital referral region [HRR]) could achieve savings by steering patients to efficient medical oncology practices. Design, Setting, and Participants This observational study included serial cross-sections of Medicare beneficiaries with cancer from 2010 to 2018. Data were analyzed from August 2021 to March 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures Total spending and spending by category in the 1-year period following an index visit for a patient with newly diagnosed (incident) or poor-prognosis cancer. Results The incident cohort included 1 309 825 patients with a mean age of 74.0 years; the most common cancer types were breast (21.4%), lung (16.7%), and colorectal cancer (10.0%). The poor prognosis cohort included 1 429 973 (mean age, 72.7 years); the most common cancer types were lung (26.6%), lymphoma (11.7%), and leukemia (7.3%). Options for steering varied across markets; the top quartile market had 10 or more oncology practices, but the bottom quartile had 3 or fewer oncology practices. Total spending (including Medicare Part D) in the incident cohort increased from a mean of $57 314 in 2009 to 2010 to $66 028 in 2016 to 2017. Within markets, total spending for practices in the highest spending quartile was 19% higher than in the lowest quartile. Hospital spending was the single largest component of spending in both time periods ($20 390 and $19 718, respectively) followed by Part B (infused) chemotherapy ($8022 and $11 699). Correlations in practice-level spending between the first-year (2009) and second-year (2010) spending were high (>0.90 in all categories with most >0.98), but these attenuated over time. Conclusions and Relevance These results suggest there may be opportunities for ACOs and other risk-bearing organizations to select or drive referrals to lower-spending oncology practices in many local markets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce E. Landon
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Miranda B. Lam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mary Beth Landrum
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - J. Michael McWilliams
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Laurie Meneades
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alexi A. Wright
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Psycho-Oncology and Palliative Care Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nancy L. Keating
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Cholera R, Anderson DM, Chung R, Genova J, Shrader P, Bleser WK, Saunders RS, Wong CA. Analysis of North Carolina Medicaid Claims Data to Simulate a Pediatric Accountable Care Organization. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2327264. [PMID: 37540515 PMCID: PMC10403786 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.27264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Despite momentum for pediatric value-based payment models, little is known about tailoring design elements to account for the unique needs and utilization patterns of children and young adults. Objective To simulate attribution to a hypothetical pediatric accountable care organization (ACO) and describe baseline demographic characteristics, expenditures, and utilization patterns over the subsequent year. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used Medicaid claims data for children and young adults aged 1 to 20 years enrolled in North Carolina Medicaid at any time during 2017. Children and young adults receiving at least 50% of their primary care at a large academic medical center (AMC) in 2017 were attributed to the ACO. Data were analyzed from April 2020 to March 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcomes were total cost of care and care utilization during the 2018 performance year. Results Among 930 266 children and young adults (377 233 children [40.6%] aged 6-12 years; 470 612 [50.6%] female) enrolled in Medicare in North Carolina in 2017, 27 290 children and young adults were attributed to the ACO. A total of 12 306 Black non-Hispanic children and young adults (45.1%), 6308 Hispanic or Latinx children and young adults (23.1%), and 6531 White non-Hispanic children and young adults (23.9%) were included. Most attributed individuals (23 133 individuals [84.7%]) had at least 1 claim in the performance year. The median (IQR) total cost of care in 2018 was $347 ($107-$1123); 272 individuals (1.0%) accounted for nearly half of total costs. Compared with children and young adults in the lowest-cost quartile, those in the highest-cost quartile were more likely to have complex medical conditions (399 individuals [6.9%] vs 3442 individuals [59.5%]) and to live farther from the AMC (median [IQR distance, 6.0 [4.6-20.3] miles vs 13.9 [4.6-30.9] miles). Total cost of care was accrued in home (43%), outpatient specialty (19%), inpatient (14%) and primary (8%) care. More than half of attributed children and young adults received care outside of the ACO; the median (IQR) cost for leaked care was $349 ($130-$1326). The costliest leaked encounters included inpatient, ancillary, and home health care, while the most frequently leaked encounters included behavioral health, emergency, and primary care. Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study found that while most children attributed to the hypothetical Medicaid pediatric ACO lived locally with few health care encounters, a small group of children with medical complexity traveled long distances for care and used frequent and costly home-based and outpatient specialty care. Leaked care was substantial for all attributed children, with the cost of leaked care being higher than the total cost of care. These pediatric-specific clinical and utilization profiles have implications for future pediatric ACO design choices related to attribution, accounting for children with high costs, and strategies to address leaked care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rushina Cholera
- Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - David M. Anderson
- Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Richard Chung
- Duke Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jessica Genova
- Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Peter Shrader
- Duke Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - William K. Bleser
- Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Robert S. Saunders
- Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Charlene A. Wong
- Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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Johnston KJ, Loux T, Joynt Maddox KE. Risk Selection and Care Fragmentation at Medicare Accountable Care Organizations for Patients With Dementia. Med Care 2023; 61:570-578. [PMID: 37411003 PMCID: PMC10328553 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001876] [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: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with dementia are a growing and vulnerable population within Medicare. Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are becoming Medicare's dominant care model, but ACO enrollment and care patterns for patients with dementia are unknown. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare differences in ACO enrollment for patients with versus without dementia, and in risk profiles and ambulatory care among patients with dementia by ACO enrollment status. RESEARCH DESIGN Cohort study assessing the relationships between patient dementia, following-year ACO enrollment, and ambulatory care patterns. SUBJECTS A total of 13,362 (weighted: 45, 499,049) person-years for patients [2761 (weighted: 6,312,304) for dementia patients] ages 65 years and above in the 2015-2019 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. MEASURES We assessed differences in ACO enrollment rates for patients with versus without dementia, and in dementia-relevant ambulatory care visit rates and validated care fragmentation indices among patients with dementia by ACO enrollment status. RESULTS Patients with versus without dementia were less likely to be enrolled in (38.3% vs. 44.6%, P<0.001), and more likely to exit (21.1% vs. 13.7%, P<0.01) ACOs. Among patients with dementia, those enrolled versus not enrolled in ACOs had a more favorable social and health risk profile on 6 of 16 measures (P<0.05). There were no differences in rates of dementia-relevant, primary, or specialty care visits. ACO enrollment was associated with 45.7% higher wellness visit rates (P<0.001), and 13.4% more fragmented primary care (P<0.01) spread across 8.7% more distinct physicians (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Medicare ACOs are less likely to enroll and retain patients with dementia than other patients and provide more fragmented primary care without providing additional dementia-relevant ambulatory care visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenton J Johnston
- General Medical Sciences Division, Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Travis Loux
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University
| | - Karen E Joynt Maddox
- Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
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Hague EL, Brown TT, Brewster A, Shortell SM, Rodriguez HP. Hospital Characteristics Associated With Clinically Integrated Network Participation. Med Care 2023; 61:521-527. [PMID: 37314353 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased integration of physician organizations and hospitals into health systems has not necessarily improved clinical integration or patient outcomes. However, federal regulators have issued favorable opinions for clinically integrated networks (CINs) as a way to pursue coordination between hospitals and physicians. Hospital organizational affiliations, including independent practice associations (IPA), physician-hospital organizations (PHOs), and accountable care organizations (ACOs), may support CIN participation. No empirical evidence, however, exists about factors associated with CIN participation. METHODS Data from the 2019 American Hospital Association survey (n = 4405) were analyzed to quantify hospital CIN participation. Multivariable logistic regression models were estimated to examine whether IPA, PHO, and ACO affiliations were associated with CIN participation, controlling for market factors and hospital characteristics. RESULTS In 2019, 34.6% of hospitals participated in a CIN. Larger, not-for-profit, and metropolitan hospitals were more likely to participate in CINs. In adjusted analyses, hospitals participating in CINs were more likely to have an IPA (9.5% points, P < 0.001), a PHO (6.1% points, P < 0.001), and ACO (19.3% points, P < 0.001) compared with hospitals not participating in a CIN. CONCLUSIONS Over one-third of hospitals participate in a CIN, despite limited evidence about their effectiveness in delivering value. Results suggest that CIN participation may be a response to integrative norms. Future work should attempt to better define CIN participation and strive to disentangle overlapping organizational participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Hague
- University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA
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Ganguli I, Crawford ML, Usadi B, Mulligan KL, O'Malley AJ, Yang CWW, Fisher ES, Morden NE. Who's Accountable? Low-Value Care Received By Medicare Beneficiaries Outside Of Their Attributed Health Systems. Health Aff (Millwood) 2023; 42:1128-1139. [PMID: 37549329 PMCID: PMC10860675 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.01319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Policy makers and payers increasingly hold health systems accountable for spending and quality for their attributed beneficiaries. Low-value care-medical services that offer little or no benefit and have the potential for harm in specific clinical scenarios-received outside of these systems could threaten success on both fronts. Using national Medicare data for fee-for-service beneficiaries ages sixty-five and older and attributed to 595 US health systems, we describe where and from whom they received forty low-value services during 2017-18 and identify factors associated with out-of-system receipt. Forty-three percent of low-value services received by attributed beneficiaries originated from out-of-system clinicians: 38 percent from specialists, 4 percent from primary care physicians, and 1 percent from advanced practice clinicians. Recipients of low-value care were more likely to obtain that care out of system if age 75 or older (versus ages 65-74), male (versus female), non-Hispanic White (versus other races or ethnicities), rural dwelling (versus metropolitan dwelling), more medically complex, or experiencing lower continuity of care. However, out-of-system service receipt was not associated with recipients' health systems' accountable care organization status. Health systems might improve quality and reduce spending for their attributed beneficiaries by addressing out-of-system receipt of low-value care-for example, by improving continuity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishani Ganguli
- Ishani Ganguli , Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nancy E Morden
- Nancy E. Morden, UnitedHealthcare, Minnetonka, Minnesota
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Miller-Rosales C, Morden NE, Brunette MF, Busch SH, Torous JB, Meara ER. Provision of Digital Health Technologies for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment by US Health Care Organizations. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2323741. [PMID: 37459098 PMCID: PMC10352858 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.23741] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Digital health technologies may expand organizational capacity to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). However, it remains unclear whether these technologies serve as substitutes for or complements to traditional substance use disorder (SUD) treatment resources in health care organizations. Objective To characterize the use of patient-facing digital health technologies for OUD by US organizations with accountable care organization (ACO) contracts. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study analyzed responses to the 2022 National Survey of Accountable Care Organizations (NSACO), collected between October 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, from US organizations with Medicare and Medicaid ACO contracts. Data analysis was performed between December 15, 2022, and January 6, 2023. Exposures Treatment resources for SUD (eg, an addiction medicine specialist, sufficient staff to treat SUD, medications for OUD, a specialty SUD treatment facility, a registry to identify patients with OUD, or a registry to track mental health for patients with OUD) and organizational characteristics (eg, organization type, Medicaid ACO contract). Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes included survey-reported use of 3 categories of digital health technologies for OUD: remote mental health therapy and tracking, virtual peer recovery support programs, and digital recovery support for adjuvant cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Statistical analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models. Results Overall, 276 of 505 organizations responded to the NSACO (54.7% response rate), with a total of 304 respondents. Of these, 161 (53.1%) were from a hospital or health system, 74 (24.2%) were from a physician- or medical group-led organization, and 23 (7.8%) were from a safety-net organization. One-third of respondents (101 [33.5%]) reported that their organization used at least 1 of the 3 digital health technology categories, including remote mental health therapy and tracking (80 [26.5%]), virtual peer recovery support programs (46 [15.1%]), and digital recovery support for adjuvant CBT (27 [9.0%]). In an adjusted analysis, organizations with an addiction medicine specialist (average marginal effect [SE], 32.3 [4.7] percentage points; P < .001) or a registry to track mental health (average marginal effect [SE], 27.2 [3.8] percentage points; P < .001) were more likely to use at least 1 category of technology compared with otherwise similar organizations lacking these capabilities. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study of 276 organizations with ACO contracts, organizations used patient-facing digital health technologies for OUD as complements to available SUD treatment capabilities rather than as substitutes for unavailable resources. Future studies should examine implementation facilitators to realize the potential of emerging technologies to support organizations facing health care practitioner shortages and other barriers to OUD treatment delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nancy E. Morden
- Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire
- UnitedHealthcare, Minnetonka, Minnesota
| | - Mary F. Brunette
- Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
- Bureau of Mental Health Services, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Concord
| | - Susan H. Busch
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - John B. Torous
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ellen R. Meara
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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McCurley JL, Fung V, Levy DE, McGovern S, Vogeli C, Clark CR, Bartels S, Thorndike AN. Assessment of the Massachusetts Flexible Services Program to Address Food and Housing Insecurity in a Medicaid Accountable Care Organization. JAMA Health Forum 2023; 4:e231191. [PMID: 37266960 PMCID: PMC10238945 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.1191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Health systems are increasingly addressing health-related social needs. The Massachusetts Flexible Services program (Flex) is a 3-year pilot program to address food insecurity and housing insecurity by connecting Medicaid accountable care organization (ACO) enrollees to community resources. Objective To understand barriers and facilitators of Flex implementation in 1 Medicaid ACO during the first 17 months of the program. Design, Setting, and Participants This mixed-methods qualitative evaluation study from March 2020 to July 2021 used the Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance/Practical, Robust Implementation, and Sustainability Model (RE-AIM/PRISM) framework. Two Mass General Brigham (MGB) hospitals and affiliated community health centers were included in the analysis. Quantitative data included all MGB Medicaid ACO enrollees. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 members of ACO staff and 17 Flex enrollees. Main Outcomes and Measures Reach was assessed by the proportion of ACO enrollees who completed annual social needs screening (eg, food insecurity and housing insecurity) and the proportion and demographics of Flex enrollees. Qualitative interviews examined other RE-AIM/PRISM constructs (eg, implementation challenges, facilitators, and perceived effectiveness). Results Of 67 098 Medicaid ACO enrollees from March 2020 to July 2021 (mean [SD] age, 28.8 [18.7] years), 38 442 (57.3%) completed at least 1 social needs screening; 10 730 (16.0%) screened positive for food insecurity, and 7401 (11.0%) screened positive for housing insecurity. There were 658 (1.6%) adults (mean [SD] age, 46.6 [11.8] years) and 173 (0.7%) children (<21 years; mean [SD] age, 10.1 [5.5]) enrolled in Flex; of these 831 people, 613 (73.8%) were female, 444 (53.4%) were Hispanic/Latinx, and 172 (20.7%) were Black. Most Flex enrollees (584 [88.8%] adults; 143 [82.7%] children) received the intended nutrition or housing services. Implementation challenges identified by staff interviewed included administrative burden, coordination with community organizations, data-sharing and information-sharing, and COVID-19 factors (eg, reduced clinical visits). Implementation facilitators included administrative funding for enrollment staff, bidirectional communication with community partners, adaptive strategies to identify eligible patients, and raising clinician awareness of Flex. In Flex enrollee interviews, those receiving nutrition services reported increased healthy eating and food security; they also reported higher program satisfaction than Flex enrollees receiving housing services. Enrollees who received nutrition services that allowed for selecting food based on preferences reported higher satisfaction than those not able to select food. Conclusions and Relevance This mixed-methods qualitative evaluation study found that to improve implementation, Medicaid and health system programs that address social needs may benefit from providing funding for administrative costs, developing bidirectional data-sharing platforms, and tailoring support to patient preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. McCurley
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Vicki Fung
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Mongan Institute Health Policy Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Douglas E. Levy
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Mongan Institute Health Policy Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Sydney McGovern
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Christine Vogeli
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Mongan Institute Health Policy Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Cheryl R. Clark
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of General Internal Medicine & Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephen Bartels
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Mongan Institute Health Policy Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Anne N. Thorndike
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Meddings J, Gibbons JB, Reale BK, Banerjee M, Norton EC, Bynum JP. The Impact of Nurse Practitioner Care and Accountable Care Organization Assignment on Skilled Nursing Services and Hospital Readmissions. Med Care 2023; 61:341-348. [PMID: 36920180 PMCID: PMC10175087 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001826] [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: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accountable care organizations (ACOs) and the employment of nurse practitioners (NP) in place of physicians are strategies that aim to reduce the cost and improve the quality of routine care delivered in skilled nursing facilities (SNF). The recent expansion of ACOs and nurse practitioners into SNF settings in the United States may be associated with improved health outcomes for patients. OBJECTIVES To determine the relationship between ACO attribution and NP care delivery during SNF visits and the relationship between NP care delivery during SNF visits and unplanned hospital readmissions. METHODS We obtained a sample of 527,329 fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with 1 or more SNF stays between 2012 and 2017. We used logistic regression to measure the association between patient ACO attribution and evaluation and management care delivered by NPs in addition to the relationship between evaluation and management services delivered by NPs and hospital readmissions. RESULTS ACO beneficiaries were 1.26% points more likely to receive 1 or more E&M services delivered by an NP during their SNF visits [Marginal Effect (ME): 0.0126; 95% CI: (0.009, 0.0160)]. ACO-attributed beneficiaries receiving most of their E&M services from NPs during their SNF visits were at a lower risk of readmission than ACO-attributed beneficiaries receiving no NP E&M care (5.9% vs. 7.1%; P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS Greater participation by the NPs in care delivery in SNFs was associated with a reduced risk of patient readmission to hospitals. ACOs attributed beneficiaries were more likely to obtain the benefits of greater nurse practitioner involvement in their care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Meddings
- Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Center for Clinical Management Research, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2215 Fuller Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Jason B. Gibbons
- Department of Health Policy & Management, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Bailey K. Reale
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Mousumi Banerjee
- Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights SPH II, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Edward C. Norton
- Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Health Management & Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights SPH II, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Economics, University of Michigan, 611 Tappan Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Julie P.W. Bynum
- Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Perloff J. Accountable Care Organizations, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Nurse Practitioners: Moving From Broad Themes to Actionable Care Redesign. Med Care 2023; 61:339-340. [PMID: 37167556 PMCID: PMC10168100 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
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Benson NM, Price M, Weiss M, Vogeli C, Vienneau MM, Mendu ML, Flaster A, Balentine L, Jubelt L, Meyer GS, Hsu J. Tacking upwind: reducing spending among high-risk commercially insured patients. Am J Manag Care 2023; 29:220-226. [PMID: 37229781 PMCID: PMC11056950 DOI: 10.37765/ajmc.2023.89355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study examined a commercial accountable care organization (ACO) population and then assessed the impact of an integrated care management program on medical spending and clinical event rates. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of high-risk individuals (n = 487) in a population of 365,413 individuals aged 18 to 64 years within the Mass General Brigham health system who were part of commercial ACO contracts with 3 large insurers between 2015 and 2019. METHODS Using medical spending claims and other enrollment data, the study assessed the demographic and clinical characteristics, medical spending, and clinical event rates of patients in the ACO and its high-risk care management program. The study then examined the impact of the program using a staggered difference-in-difference design with individual-level fixed effects and compared outcomes of those who had entered the program with those of similar patients who had not entered. RESULTS The commercially insured ACO population was healthy on average but included several hundred high-risk patients (n = 487). After adjustment, patients within the ACO's integrated care management program for high-risk patients had lower monthly medical spending (by $1361 per person per month) as well as lower emergency department visit and hospitalization rates compared with similar patients who had yet to start the program. Accounting for early ACO departure decreased the magnitude of the program effects as expected. CONCLUSIONS Commercial ACO populations may be healthy on average but still include some high-risk patients. Identifying which patients might benefit from more intensive care management could be critical for reaping the potential savings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Benson
- McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill St, Belmont, MA 02478.
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Brown TT, Hague E, Neumann A, Rodriguez HP, Shortell SM. Impact of a selective narrow network with comprehensive patient navigation on access, utilization, expenditures, and enrollee experiences. Health Serv Res 2023; 58:332-342. [PMID: 36111577 PMCID: PMC10012245 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14066] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of enrollee switching from a broad-network accountable care organization (ACO) health maintenance organization (HMO) to a "high performance" ACO-HMO with a selective narrow network and comprehensive patient navigation system on access, utilization, expenditures, and enrollee experiences. DATA SOURCES Secondary administrative data were obtained for 2016-2020, and primary interview and survey data in 2021. STUDY DESIGN Fixed-effects instrumental variable analyses of administrative data and regression analyses of survey data. Outcomes included access, utilization, expenditures, and enrollee experience. Background information was gathered via interviews. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS We obtained medical expenditure/enrollment and access data on continuously enrolled members in a broad-network ACO-HMO (n = 24,555), a subset of those who switched to a high-performance ACO-HMO in 2018 (n = 7664); interviews of organizational leaders (n = 13); and an enrollee survey (n = 512). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Health care effectiveness data and information Set (HEDIS) access measures were not different across plans. However, annual utilization dropped by 15.5 percentage points (95% CI: 18.1, 12.9) more in the high-performance ACO-HMO, with relative annual expenditures declining by $1251 (95% CI: $1461, $1042) per person per year. High-performance ACO-HMO enrollees were 10.1 percentage points (95% CI 0.001, 0.201) more likely to access primary care usually or always as soon as needed and 11.2 percentage points (95% CI 0.007, 0.217) more likely to access specialty care usually or always as soon as needed. Plan satisfaction was 7.1 percentage points (95% CI: -0.001, 0.138) higher in the high-performance ACO-HMO. Interviewees noted the comprehensive patient navigation system was designed to ensure patients remained in the narrow network to receive care. CONCLUSIONS ACO and HMO contracts with selective narrow networks supported by comprehensive patient navigation can reduce expenditures and improve specialty access and patient satisfaction compared to broad-network plans that lack these features. Payers should consider implementing narrow networks with comprehensive support systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy T. Brown
- School of Public HealthUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Emily Hague
- School of Public HealthUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alicia Neumann
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
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Benson NM, Price M, Vogeli C, Vienneau MM, Mendu ML, Flaster A, Balentine L, Jubelt L, Meyer GS, Hsu J. Population turnover and leakage in commercial ACOs. Am J Manag Care 2023; 29:e104-e110. [PMID: 37104836 PMCID: PMC10542917 DOI: 10.37765/ajmc.2023.89350] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Commercial accountable care organization (ACO) contracts attempt to mitigate spending growth, but past evaluations have been limited to continuously enrolled ACO members in health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, excluding many members. The objective of this study was to examine the magnitude of turnover and leakage within a commercial ACO. STUDY DESIGN A historical cohort study using detailed information from multiple commercial ACO contracts within a large health care system between 2015 and 2019. METHODS Individuals insured through 1 of the 3 largest commercial ACO contracts during the study period, 2015-2019, were included. We examined patterns of entry and exit and the characteristics that predicted remaining in the ACO compared with leaving the ACO. We also examined predictors of the amount of care delivered in the ACO compared with outside the ACO. RESULTS Among the 453,573 commercially insured individuals in the ACO, approximately half left the ACO within the initial 24 months after entry. Approximately one-third of spending was for care occurring outside the ACO. Patients who remained in the ACO differed from those who left earlier, including being older, having a non-HMO plan, having lower predicted spending at entry, and having more medical spending for care performed within the ACO during the initial quarter of membership. CONCLUSIONS Both turnover and leakage hamper the ability of ACOs to manage spending. Modifications that address potentially intrinsic vs avoidable sources of population turnover and increase patient incentives for care within vs outside of ACOs could help address medical spending growth within commercial ACO programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Benson
- McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill St, Belmont, MA 02478.
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Colla CH, Lewis VA, Chang CH, Crawford M, Peck KA, Meara E. Changes in spending and quality after ACO contract participation for dually eligible beneficiaries with mental illness. Healthc (Amst) 2023; 11:100664. [PMID: 36543011 PMCID: PMC9898178 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjdsi.2022.100664] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragmented care and misaligned payment across Medicare and Medicaid lower care quality for dually eligible beneficiaries with mental illness. Accountable care organizations aim to improve the quality and value of care. METHODS Using Medicare fee-for-service Part A and B claims data from 2009 to 2017 and a difference-in-differences design, we compared the spending and utilization of dually eligible beneficiaries with mental illness that were and were not attributed to Medicare ACO providers before and after ACO contract entry. RESULTS Dually eligible beneficiaries with mental illness (N = 5,157,533, 70% depression, 22% bipolar, 27% schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders) had average annual Medicare spending of $17,899. ACO contract participation was generally not associated with spending or utilization changes. However, ACO contract participation was associated with higher rates of follow-up visits after mental health hospitalization: 1.17 and 1.30 percentage points within 7 and 30 days of discharge, respectively (p < 0.001). ACO-attributed beneficiaries with schizophrenia, bipolar, or other psychotic disorders received more ambulatory visits (393.9 per 1000 person-years, p = 0.002), while ACO-attributed beneficiaries with depression experienced fewer emergency department visits (-29.5 per 1000 person-years, p = 0.003) after ACO participation. CONCLUSIONS Dually eligible beneficiaries served by Medicare ACOs did not have lower spending, hospitalizations, or readmissions compared with other beneficiaries. However, ACO participation was associated with timely follow-up after mental health hospitalization, as well as more ambulatory care and fewer ED visits for certain diagnostic groups. IMPLICATIONS ACOs that include dually eligible beneficiaries with mental illness should tailor their designs to address the distinct needs of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie H Colla
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Level 5, WTRB, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA; Congressional Budget Office, Ford House Office Building, Fourth Floor, Second and D Streets, SW, Washington, DC, 20515-6925, USA.
| | - Valerie A Lewis
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 170 Rosenau Hall, CB #7400, 135 Dauer Driver, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Chiang-Hua Chang
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road North Campus Research Complex (NCRC), Building 16, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Maia Crawford
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Level 5, WTRB, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA
| | - Kristen A Peck
- Dartmouth Health, 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA
| | - Ellen Meara
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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Spivack SB, Murray GF, Lewis VA. A Decade of ACOs in Medicare: Have They Delivered on Their Promise? J Health Polit Policy Law 2023; 48:63-92. [PMID: 36112955 DOI: 10.1215/03616878-10171090] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Accountable care organizations (ACOs) were envisioned as a way to address both health care cost growth and uneven quality in US health care. They emerged in the early 2000s, with the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) establishing a Medicare ACO program. In the decade since their launch, ACOs have grown into one of Medicare's flagship payment reform programs, with millions of beneficiaries receiving care from hundreds of ACOs. While great expectations surrounded ACOs' introduction into Medicare, their impacts to date have been modest. ACOs have achieved some savings and improvements in measured quality, but disagreement persists over the meaning of those results: Do ACOs represent important, incremental steps forward on the path toward a more efficient, high-quality health care system? Or do their modest achievements signal a failure of large-scale progress despite the substantial investments of resources? ACOs have proven to be politically resilient, largely sidestepping the controversies and partisan polarization that have led to the demise of other ACA provisions. But the same features that have enabled ACOs to evade backlash have constrained their impacts and effectiveness. After a decade, ACOs' long-term influence on Medicare and the US health care system remains uncertain.
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Han J, Jathavedam A, Perepelyuk M, Casale PN. Impact of a Clinician Incentive Program on Quality Measures Performance in a Medicare Shared Savings Accountable Care Organization. Am J Med Qual 2023; 38:29-36. [PMID: 36579962 DOI: 10.1097/jmq.0000000000000098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Financial incentives are often used to encourage and reward clinicians for achieving specific outcomes; however, there is limited data on their effectiveness. This study evaluates the impact of NewYork Quality Care's Clinician Incentive Program on improving quality measure performance over 4 years. Clinicians including primary care physicians and specialists actively opted-in to an incentive program where their quality performance was evaluated and rewarded biannually. Using Medicare Shared Savings Program data extracted for quality measures (2016-2019), this study analyzes quality measure performance between clinicians who opted-in to the program compared to those who did not. Additional analysis was performed comparing primary care clinician and specialist performance. The analysis revealed that clinicians in the incentive program significantly outperform (P < 0.05) clinicians who chose not to join the program in 6 of the 7 quality measures. In addition, the program helped facilitate discussions with clinicians more broadly in population health efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Han
- NewYork Quality Care, Accountable Care Organization of NewYork-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Columbia Doctors, New York, NY
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Cooper MI, Attanasio LB, Geissler KH. Maternity care clinician inclusion in Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282679. [PMID: 36888632 PMCID: PMC9994708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) are increasingly common, but the network breadth for maternity care is not well described. The inclusion of maternity care clinicians in Medicaid ACOs has significant implications for access to care for pregnant people, who are disproportionately insured by Medicaid. PURPOSE To address this, we evaluate obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYN), maternal-fetal medicine specialists (MFM), certified nurse midwives (CNM), and acute care hospital inclusion in Massachusetts Medicaid ACOs. METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Using publicly available provider directories for Massachusetts Medicaid ACOs (n = 16) from December 2020 -January 2021, we quantify obstetrician-gynecologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, CNMs, and acute care hospital with obstetric department inclusion in each Medicaid ACO. We compare maternity care provider and acute care hospital inclusion across and within ACO type. For Accountable Care Partnership Plans, we compare maternity care clinician and acute care hospital inclusion to ACO enrollment. RESULTS Primary Care ACO plans include 1185 OB/GYNs, 51 MFMs, and 100% of Massachusetts acute care hospitals, but CNMs were not easily identifiable in the directories. Across Accountable Care Partnership Plans, a mean of 305 OB/GYNs (median: 97; range: 15-812), 15 MFMs (Median: 8; range: 0-50), 85 CNMs (median: 29; range: 0-197), and half of Massachusetts acute care hospitals (median: 23.81%; range: 10%-100%) were included. CONCLUSION AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Substantial differences exist in maternity care clinician inclusion across and within ACO types. Characterizing the quality of included maternity care clinicians and hospitals across ACOs is an important target of future research. Highlighting maternal healthcare as a key area of focus for Medicaid ACOs-including equitable access to high-quality obstetric providers-will be important to improving maternal health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael I. Cooper
- Department of Health Promotion and Policy, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Laura B. Attanasio
- Department of Health Promotion and Policy, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kimberley H. Geissler
- Department of Health Promotion and Policy, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Landon BE. Alternative Payments and Physician Organizations. Adv Health Care Manag 2022; 21:133-150. [PMID: 36437620 DOI: 10.1108/s1474-823120220000021007] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
There are longstanding concerns about the sustainability of the US health care system. Payment reform has been seen over the last decade as a key strategy to reorienting the US health care system around value. Alternative payment models (APMs) that seek to accomplish this goal have become increasingly prevalent in the US, yet there is a perception that physicians are resistant to their use and that organizations have been slow to adopt such models. The reasons for the limited effectiveness of APM programs are multifactorial and include aspects related to the design and implementation of these programs and lack of alignment and coordination across different payers and health care sectors. Most importantly, however, is that the current organizational structures in US health care serve to dampen the direct impact of these incentives, often because health care delivery organizations face conflicting incentives themselves. Organizations filter and refine the incentives from multiple external payment contracts and develop internal incentive systems that best reflect the amalgamation of the incentives embedded across their contracts, and thus the fragmented nature of the US health care system serves to undermine efforts to transform care under value-based contracts. In addition to organizations having conflicting incentives, there also are fundamental problems with the design and implementation of APMs that hinder their acceptance among physicians and the organizations in which they work. Moreover, much remains to be learned about how organizations can best adapt to succeed under these models, and how organizational culture can be leveraged to transform care.
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Abstract
Healthcare delivery models have evolved from fee-for-service to incentivized care like patient-centered medical homes and accountable care organizations. This article discusses the evolution of healthcare delivery models and presents a vision for digital health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal A Grys
- Crystal Grys is a Team RN at Mayo Clinic Arizona in the Division of Community Internal Medicine in Scottsdale, Ariz., and an instructor of nursing at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. She is enrolled in a DNP program at Duke University
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Lam MB, Friend TH, Erfani P, Orav EJ, Jha AK, Figueroa JF. ACO Spending and Utilization Among Medicare Patients at the End of Life: an Observational Study. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:3275-3282. [PMID: 35022958 PMCID: PMC9550919 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07183-9] [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: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND End-of-life (EOL) costs constitute a substantial portion of healthcare spending in the USA and have been increasing. ACOs may offer an opportunity to improve quality and curtail EOL spending. OBJECTIVE To examine whether practices that became ACOs altered spending and utilization at the EOL. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of Medicare claims. PATIENTS We assigned patients who died in 2012 and 2015 to an ACO or non-ACO practice. Practices that converted to ACOs in 2013 or 2014 were matched to non-ACOs in the same region. A total of 23,643 ACO patients were matched to 23,643 non-ACO patients. MAIN MEASURES Using a difference-in-differences model, we examined changes in EOL spending and care utilization after ACO implementation. KEY RESULTS The introduction of ACOs did not significantly impact overall spending for patients in the last 6 months of life (difference-in-difference (DID) = $192, 95%CI -$841 to $1125, P = 0.72). Changes in spending did not differ between ACO and non-ACO patients across spending categories (inpatient, outpatient, physician services, skilled nursing, home health, hospice). No differences were seen between ACO and non-ACO patients in rates of ED visits, inpatient admissions, ICU admission, mean healthy days at home, and mean hospice days at 180 and 30 days prior to death. However, non-ACO patients had a significantly greater increase in hospice utilization compared to ACO patients at 180 days (DID P-value = 0.02) and 30 days (DID P-value = 0.01) prior to death. CONCLUSIONS With the exception of hospice care utilization, spending and utilization were not different between ACOs and non-ACO patients at the EOL. Longer follow-up may be necessary to evaluate the impact of ACOs on EOL spending and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda B Lam
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital / Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, MA, Boston, USA.
| | - Tynan H Friend
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - E John Orav
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashish K Jha
- School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jose F Figueroa
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, MA, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Ortiz J, Hill M, Thomas CW, Hofler R. Accountable Care Organizations and Health Disparities of Rural Latinos: A Longitudinal Analysis. Popul Health Manag 2022; 25:651-657. [PMID: 35704880 PMCID: PMC9836698 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2022.0062] [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: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) to analyze the change in diabetes-related hospitalization rates of rural Latino older adult patients as compared with their White counterparts and (2) to determine what factors, including rural health clinic (RHC) participation in accountable care organizations (ACOs), are related to reduced disparities in diabetes-related hospitalization rates. Data for Latino Medicare beneficiaries who were served by RHCs over an 8-year period were analyzed. First, a difference-of-means test was conducted to determine whether there was a change in disparity from the pre-ACO period (2008-2011) to the post-ACO period (2012-2015). A statistically significant decrease in disparity over time was found (t = -7.6899, df = 115, P < 0.001.) Second, multiple regression analyses of 3 separate models were conducted to determine whether ACO participation contributed to reducing disparities in diabetes-related hospitalization rates between Latinos and Whites. The analyses indicated moderate evidence that consistent ACO participation is associated with lower health disparities (t = -1.947, P = 0.0525). However, this association is not significant after balancing covariates, and no causal relationship can be established. Latinos compose one of the fastest growing groups in rural as well as urban areas of the United States. It is critical that ACOs, with their emphasis on care coordination, health care quality, and value, monitor their provision of services to Latinos, rural, and other vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Ortiz
- College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Mitch Hill
- Department of Statistics, College of Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Chad W. Thomas
- Department of Statistics, College of Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Richard Hofler
- Department of Economics, College of Business, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
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Huang H, Zhu X, Wehby GL. Primary care physicians' participation in the Medicare shared savings program and preventive services delivery: Evidence from the first 7 years. Health Serv Res 2022; 57:1182-1190. [PMID: 35808929 PMCID: PMC9441290 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether primary care physicians' participation in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) is associated with changes in their preventive services delivery. DATA SOURCES Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Physician and Other Supplier Public Use File and MSSP Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) Provider-Level Research Identifiable File from 2012 to 2018. STUDY DESIGN The design was a two-way fixed effects model estimating within-provider changes in preventive services delivery over time controlling for provider time-invariant characteristics, national time trends, and characteristics of served patients. The following preventive services were evaluated: influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination, clinical depression screening, colorectal cancer screening, breast cancer screening, Body Mass Index (BMI) screening and follow-up, tobacco use assessment, and annual wellness visits. Both the likelihood of providing services and the volume of services delivered were evaluated. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS Secondary data linked at the provider level. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS MSSP participation was associated with an increase in the likelihood of providing influenza vaccination (0.7 percentage-points), pneumococcal vaccination (2.0 percentage-points), clinical depression screening (2.1 percentage-points), tobacco use assessment (0.3 percentage-points), and annual wellness visits (4.1 percentage-points). A similar increase was found for the volume of services delivered per 100 patients for several preventive services: influenza vaccination (0.18), pneumococcal vaccination (0.56), clinical depression screening (0.46), and annual wellness visits (1.52). MSSP participation was associated with a decrease in the likelihood (-0.4 percentage-points) and the volume of colorectal cancer screening (-0.03). CONCLUSIONS Primary care physicians' participation in MSSP was associated with an increase in the likelihood and the volume of several preventive services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huang Huang
- Department of Health Management and PolicyUniversity of Iowa College of Public HealthIowa CityIowaUSA
| | - Xi Zhu
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementUCLA Fielding School of Public HealthLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - George L. Wehby
- Department of Health Management and PolicyUniversity of Iowa College of Public HealthIowa CityIowaUSA
- National Bureau of Economic ResearchCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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Bishai DM, Resnick B, Lamba S, Cardona C, Leider JP, McCullough JM, Gemmill A. Being Accountable for Capability-Getting Public Health Reform Right This Time. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:1374-1378. [PMID: 35952330 PMCID: PMC9480453 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2022.306975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David M Bishai
- David M. Bishai, Beth Resnick, Sneha Lamba, Carolina Cardona, and Alison Gemmill are with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Jonathon P. Leider is with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis. At the time of writing, J. Mac McCullough was with Arizona State University, Phoenix
| | - Beth Resnick
- David M. Bishai, Beth Resnick, Sneha Lamba, Carolina Cardona, and Alison Gemmill are with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Jonathon P. Leider is with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis. At the time of writing, J. Mac McCullough was with Arizona State University, Phoenix
| | - Sneha Lamba
- David M. Bishai, Beth Resnick, Sneha Lamba, Carolina Cardona, and Alison Gemmill are with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Jonathon P. Leider is with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis. At the time of writing, J. Mac McCullough was with Arizona State University, Phoenix
| | - Carolina Cardona
- David M. Bishai, Beth Resnick, Sneha Lamba, Carolina Cardona, and Alison Gemmill are with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Jonathon P. Leider is with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis. At the time of writing, J. Mac McCullough was with Arizona State University, Phoenix
| | - Jonathon P Leider
- David M. Bishai, Beth Resnick, Sneha Lamba, Carolina Cardona, and Alison Gemmill are with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Jonathon P. Leider is with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis. At the time of writing, J. Mac McCullough was with Arizona State University, Phoenix
| | - J Mac McCullough
- David M. Bishai, Beth Resnick, Sneha Lamba, Carolina Cardona, and Alison Gemmill are with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Jonathon P. Leider is with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis. At the time of writing, J. Mac McCullough was with Arizona State University, Phoenix
| | - Alison Gemmill
- David M. Bishai, Beth Resnick, Sneha Lamba, Carolina Cardona, and Alison Gemmill are with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Jonathon P. Leider is with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis. At the time of writing, J. Mac McCullough was with Arizona State University, Phoenix
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Festa N, Price M, Weiss M, Moura LMVR, Benson NM, Zafar S, Blacker D, Normand SLT, Newhouse JP, Hsu J. Evaluating The Accuracy Of Medicare Risk Adjustment For Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias. Health Aff (Millwood) 2022; 41:1324-1332. [PMID: 36067434 PMCID: PMC9973227 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.00185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In 2020 Medicare reintroduced Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCCs) to risk-adjust Medicare Advantage and accountable care organization (ACO) payments. The potential for Medicare spending increases from this policy change are not well understood because the baseline accuracy of ADRD HCCs is uncertain. Using linked 2016-18 claims and electronic health record data from a large ACO, we evaluated the accuracy of claims-based ADRD HCCs against a reference standard of clinician-adjudicated disease. An estimated 7.5 percent of beneficiaries had clinician-adjudicated ADRD. Among those with ADRD HCCs, 34 percent did not have clinician-adjudicated disease. The false-negative and false-positive rates were 22.7 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively. Medicare spending for those with false-negative ADRD HCCs exceeded that of true positives by $14,619 per beneficiary. If, after the reintroduction of risk adjustment for ADRD, all false negatives were coded as having ADRD, expenditure benchmarks for beneficiaries with ADRD would increase by 9 percent. Monitoring ADRD coding could become challenging in the setting of concurrent incentives to decrease false-negative rates and increase false-positive rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Festa
- Natalia Festa , Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Mary Price
- Mary Price, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Max Weiss
- Max Weiss, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University
| | - Lidia M V R Moura
- Lidia M. V. R. Moura, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University
| | - Nicole M Benson
- Nicole M. Benson, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University; McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Sahar Zafar
- Sahar Zafar, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University
| | - Deborah Blacker
- Deborah Blacker, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University
| | | | | | - John Hsu
- John Hsu, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University
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Yan BW, Shashoua M, Figueroa JF. Changes in spending, utilization, and quality of care among Medicare accountable care organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272706. [PMID: 35960735 PMCID: PMC9374212 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID pandemic disrupted health care spending and utilization, and the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), Medicare’s largest value-based payment model with 11.2 million assigned beneficiaries, was no exception. Despite COVID, the 513 accountable care organizations (ACO) in MSSP returned a program record $1.9 billion in net savings to Medicare in 2020. To understand the extent of COVID’s impact on MSSP cost and quality, we describe how ACO spending changed in 2020 and further analyze changes in measured quality and utilization. We found that non-COVID per capita spending in MSSP fell by 8.3 percent from $11,496 to $10,537 (95% confidence interval(CI),-1,223.8 to-695.4, p<0.001), driven by 14.6% and 7.5% reductions in per capita acute inpatient and outpatient spending, respectively. Utilization fell across inpatient, emergency, and outpatient settings. On quality metrics, preventive screening rates remained stable or improved, while control of diabetes and blood pressure worsened. Large reductions in non-COVID utilization helped ACOs succeed financially in 2020, but worsening chronic disease measures are concerning. The appropriateness of the benchmark methodology and exclusion of COVID-related spending, especially as the virus approaches endemicity, should be revisited to ensure bonus payments reflect advances in care delivery and health outcomes rather than COVID-related shifts in spending and utilization patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon W. Yan
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Maya Shashoua
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jose F. Figueroa
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Jacobs
- From the Center for Medicare (D.J., M.S.), and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (P.R., L.F.), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Washington, DC
| | - Purva Rawal
- From the Center for Medicare (D.J., M.S.), and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (P.R., L.F.), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Washington, DC
| | - Liz Fowler
- From the Center for Medicare (D.J., M.S.), and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (P.R., L.F.), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Washington, DC
| | - Meena Seshamani
- From the Center for Medicare (D.J., M.S.), and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (P.R., L.F.), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Washington, DC
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Katragadda C, Fung C, Yousefi-Nooraie R, Cupertino P, Joseph J, Kim Y, Li Y. Medicare accountable care organizations: post-acute care use and post-surgical outcomes in urologic cancer surgery. Urology 2022; 167:102-108. [PMID: 35772480 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2022.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate association between Medicare accountable care organizations (ACOs) participation of hospitals on post-acute care (PAC) use and spending, and post-surgical outcomes in Medicare beneficiaries undergoing urologic cancer surgeries. Despite increasing prevalence of urologic cancer and surgical care contributing to a large proportion of total health care costs, and recent Medicare payment reforms such as accountable care organizations, the role of ACOs in urologic cancer care has been unexplored. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal analysis of 2011-2017 Medicare claims data to compare post-surgical outcomes between Medicare ACO and non-ACO patients before and after implementation of Medicare shared savings program (MSSP). Our outcomes of interest were Post-acute care (PAC) use (overall, institutional, and home health), Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) length of stay and Medicare spending for SNF patients, 30-day and 90-day unplanned readmissions and complications after index procedure. RESULTS Study sample included a total of 334,514 Medicare patients undergoing bladder, prostate, kidney cancer surgeries at 524 Medicare ACO and 2066 non-ACO hospitals. For bladder cancer surgery, Medicare ACO participation was associated with significantly reduced overall post-acute care use, but not with changes in readmission or complication rate. For prostate cancer and kidney cancer surgery, we found no significant association between hospital participation in Medicare ACOs and PAC use or post-surgical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Hospital participation in MSSP ACOs leads to lower post-acute care use without compromising patient outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing bladder cancer surgery. Future research is needed to understand longer-term impact of ACO participation on urologic cancer surgery outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmayee Katragadda
- Division of Health Policy and Outcomes Research, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY.
| | - Chunkit Fung
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY; James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Reza Yousefi-Nooraie
- Division of Health Policy and Outcomes Research, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Paula Cupertino
- James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Jean Joseph
- Department of Urology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | | | - Yue Li
- Division of Health Policy and Outcomes Research, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
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50
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Cole MB, Nguyen KH, Byhoff E, Murray GF. Screening for Social Risk at Federally Qualified Health Centers: A National Study. Am J Prev Med 2022; 62:670-678. [PMID: 35459451 PMCID: PMC9035213 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Federally Qualified Health Centers serve 29.8 million low-income patients across the U.S., many of whom have unaddressed social risks. In 2019, for the first time, data on social risk screening capabilities were collected from every U.S. Federally Qualified Health Center. The objectives of this study were to describe the national rates of social risk screening capabilities across Federally Qualified Health Centers, identify organizational predictors of screening, and assess between-state heterogeneity. METHODS Using a 100% sample of U.S. Federally Qualified Health Centers (N=1,384, representing 29.8 million patients) from the 2019 Uniform Data System, the primary outcome was whether a Federally Qualified Health Center collected data on patients' social risk factors (yes/no). Summary statistics on the rates of social risk screening capabilities were generated in aggregate and by state. Linear probability models were then used to estimate the relationship between the probability of social risk screening and 7 key Federally Qualified Health Center characteristics (e.g., Federally Qualified Health Center size, Medicaid MCO contract, Medicaid accountable care organization presence). Data were analyzed in 2020‒2021. RESULTS Most (71%) Federally Qualified Health Centers collected social risk data, with a between-state variation. The most common screener was the Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patients' Assets Risks and Experiences (43% of Federally Qualified Health Centers that screened), whereas 22% collected social risk data using a nonstandardized screener. After adjusting for other characteristics, Federally Qualified Health Centers with social risk screening capabilities served more total patients, were more likely to be located in a state with a Medicaid accountable care organization, and were less likely to have an MCO contract. CONCLUSIONS There has been widespread adoption of social risk screening tools across U.S. Federally Qualified Health Centers, but between-state disparities exist. Targeting social risk screening resources to smaller Federally Qualified Health Centers may increase the adoption of screening tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan B Cole
- Department of Health Law, Policy, & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Kevin H Nguyen
- Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Elena Byhoff
- Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Genevra F Murray
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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