Did copayment changes reduce health service utilization among CHIP enrollees? Evidence from Alabama.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Sen B
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3401401 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Did copayment changes reduce health service utilization among CHIP enrollees? Evidence from Alabama.
Sen Bisakha B Blackburn Justin J Morrisey Michael A MA Kilgore Meredith L ML Becker David J DJ Caldwell Cathy C Menachemi Nir N
Health services research 20120221 4
<h4>Objective</h4>To explore whether health care utilization changed among enrollees in Alabama's CHIP program, ALL Kids, following copayment increases at the beginning of fiscal year 2004.<h4>Data sources</h4>Data on all ALL Kids enrollees over 1999-2009 are obtained from claims files and the state's administrative database.<h4>Study design</h4>We use pooled month-level data for all enrollees and conduct covariate-adjusted segmented regression models. Health services considered are inpatient ca ...[more]
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Project description:BackgroundThe expansion of Medicaid as part of the Affordable Care Act opened new opportunities to provide health coverage to low-income adults who may be involved in other public sectors.ObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to describe cross-sector utilization patterns among urban Medicaid expansion enrollees.Research designWe merged data from 4 public sectors (health care, human services, housing, and criminal justice) for 98,282 Medicaid expansion enrollees in Hennepin County, MN. We fit a latent class model to indicators of cross-sector involvement.MeasuresIndicator variables described involvement levels within each sector from March 2011 through December 2014. Demographic and chronic condition indicators were included post hoc to characterize classes.ResultsWe found 6 archetypes of cross-sector involvement: The "Low Contact" class (33.9%) had little involvement in any public sector; "Primary Care" (26.3%) had moderate, stable health care utilization; "Health and Human Services" (15.3%) had high rates of health care and cash assistance utilization; "Minimal Criminal History" (11.0%) had less serious criminal justice involvement; "Cross-sector" (7.8%) had elevated emergency department use, involvement in all 4 sectors, and the highest prevalence of behavioral health conditions; "Extensive Criminal History" (5.7%) had serious criminal justice involvement. The 3 most expensive classes (Health and Human Services, Cross-sector, and Extensive Criminal History) had the highest rates of behavioral health conditions. Together, they comprised 29% of enrollees and 70% of total public costs.ConclusionsMedicaid expansion enrollees with behavioral health conditions deserve focus due to the high cost-reduction potential across public sectors. Cross-sector collaboration is a plausible path to reduce costs and improve outcomes.
| S-EPMC7045703 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo assess state coverage and utilization of Medicaid smoking cessation medication benefits among fee-for-service enrollees who smoked cigarettes.MethodsWe used the linked National Health Interview Survey (survey years 1995, 1997-2005) and the Medicaid Analytic eXtract files (1999-2008) to assess utilization of smoking cessation medication benefits among 5,982 cigarette smokers aged 18-64 years enrolled in Medicaid fee-for-service whose state Medicaid insurance covered at least one cessation medication. We excluded visits during pregnancy, and those covered by managed care or under dual enrollment (Medicaid and Medicare). Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine correlates of cessation medication benefit utilization among Medicaid fee-for-service enrollees, including measures of drug coverage (comprehensive cessation medication coverage, number of medications in state benefit, varenicline coverage), individual-level demographics at NHIS interview, age at Medicaid enrollment, and state-level cigarette excise taxes, statewide smoke-free laws, and per-capita tobacco control funding.ResultsIn 1999, the percent of smokers with ≥1 medication claims was 5.7% in the 30 states that covered at least one Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cessation medication; this increased to 9.9% in 2008 in the 44 states that covered at least one FDA-approved medication (p<0.01). Cessation medication utilization was greater among older individuals (≥ 25 years), females, non-Hispanic whites, and those with higher educational attainment. Comprehensive coverage, the number of smoking cessation medications covered and varenicline coverage were all positively associated with utilization; cigarette excise tax and per-capita tobacco control funding were also positively associated with utilization.ConclusionsUtilization of medication benefits among fee-for-service Medicaid enrollees increased from 1999-2008 and varied by individual and state-level characteristics. Given that the Affordable Care Act bars state Medicaid programs from excluding any FDA-approved cessation medications from coverage as of January 2014, monitoring Medicaid cessation medication claims may be beneficial for informing efforts to increase utilization and maximize smoking cessation.
| S-EPMC5313220 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ImportanceHealth insurers alter the size of their networks, offering lower premiums in exchange for a more limited set of care choices. However, little is known about the association of network size with health care utilization and outcomes, particularly outside of the context of private insurance plans.ObjectiveTo evaluate changes in health care utilization after an expansion in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System (VA) health care network.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional study included individuals enrolled in the VA from 2015 to 2018. Considering that the health care network expansion only affected a portion of enrollees, only those who lived between 20 and 60 miles from a VA facility were included. Data analysis was conducted from September 2020 to February 2021.ExposuresIndividuals who lived 40 or more miles away from a VA facility were automatically eligible for an expanded health care network through non-VA practitioners (VA community care); those living less than 40 miles away from a VA facility were not automatically eligible.Main outcomes and measuresA regression discontinuity analysis of individuals who became eligible for an expanded network based on geographic residence was performed. Inpatient and outpatient utilization rates per VA enrollee during the study period, with utilization differentiated by whether services were provided by a VA or non-VA practitioner, were calculated.ResultsThe study included more than 2.7 million unique individuals whose characteristics largely reflected the demographic characteristics of the VA system (mean [SD] age, 62 [17] years; 2 589 252 [90%] men; 282 168 [10%] Black; 2 203 352 [77%] White). Patient characteristics (age, race, and comorbidities) did not vary significantly by eligibility status. Outpatient utilization was 3.2% higher (95% CI, 1.0% to 5.3%) among those with access to an expanded network. Increased utilization was most pronounced among those with a higher VA disability rating (3.1%; 95% CI, 0.5% to 5.7%) and among younger individuals without service-connected disabilities (7.0%, 95% CI, 1.7% to 12.3%). There was no evidence of changes to inpatient utilization (1.2%; 95% CI. -2.5% to 4.9%; P = .37) for those with access to the expanded network.Conclusions and relevanceIn this study, expanded network access was associated with increased total health care utilization among affected enrollees in the VA. Understanding how network size affects utilization is immediately informative for the VA, but it can also help to guide policies for insurance markets.
| S-EPMC8548943 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ImportanceAdministrative records indicate that more than half of the 80 million Medicaid enrollees identify as belonging to a racial and ethnic minority group. Despite this, disparities within the Medicaid program remain understudied. For example, we know of no studies examining racial differences in Medicaid spending, a potential measure of how equitably state resources are allocated.ObjectivesTo examine whether and to what extent there are differences in health care spending and utilization between Black and White enrollees in Medicaid.Design setting and participantsThis cross-sectional study used calendar year 2016 administrative data from 3 state Medicaid programs and included 1 966 689 Black and White Medicaid enrollees. Analyses were performed between January 28, 2021, and October 18, 2021.ExposuresSelf-reported race.Main outcomes and measuresRates and racial differences in health care spending and utilization (including Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set [HEDIS] access measures).ResultsOf 1 966 689 Medicaid adults and children (mean [SD] age, 20.3 [17.1] years; 1 119 136 [56.9%] female), 867 183 (44.1%) self-identified as non-Hispanic Black and 1 099 506 (55.9%) self-identified as non-Hispanic White. Results were adjusted for age, sex, Medicaid eligibility category, zip code, health status, and usual source of care. On average, annual spending on Black adult (19 years or older) Medicaid enrollees was $317 (95% CI, $259-$375) lower than White enrollees, a 6% difference. Among children (18 years or younger), annual spending on Black enrollees was $256 (14%) lower (95% CI, $222-$290). Adult Black enrollees also had 19.3 (95% CI, 16.78-21.84), or 4%, fewer primary care encounters per 100 enrollees per year compared with White enrollees. Among children, the differences in primary care utilization were larger: Black enrollees had 90.1 (95% CI, 88.2-91.8) fewer primary care encounters per 100 enrollees per year compared with White enrollees, a 23% difference. Black enrollees had lower utilization of most other services, including high-value prescription drugs, but higher emergency department use and rates of HEDIS preventive screenings.Conclusions and relevanceIn this cross-sectional study of US Medicaid enrollees in 3 states, Black enrollees generated lower spending and used fewer services, including primary care and recommended care for acute and chronic conditions, but had substantially higher emergency department use. While Black enrollees had higher rates of HEDIS preventive screenings, ensuring equitable access to all services in Medicaid must remain a national priority.
| S-EPMC9187949 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Population ageing is a worldwide phenomenon that could influence health policy effectiveness. This research explores the impact of age structural transitions on copayment policy responses under Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) system. The time-varying parameter vector autoregressive model was applied to create two measures of the copayment policy effectiveness, and multiple linear regression models were used to verify the nonlinear effect of age structural transitions on copayment policy responses. Our results show that copayment policy effectiveness (in terms of the negative response of medical center outpatient visits to upward adjustments in copayment) is positively correlated with the proportions of the population in two older age groups (aged 55-64 and ≥ 65) and children (age < 15), but negatively correlated with the proportion of the population that makes up most of the workforce (aged 15‒54). These tendencies of age distribution, which influence the responses of medical center outpatient visits to copayment policy changes, predict that copayment policy may have a greater influence on medical center outpatient utilization in an ageing society. Policymakers should be concerned about the adverse effects of copayment adjustments on the elderly, such as an increasing financial burden and the effect of pricing some elderly patients out of Taiwan's NHI system.
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| S-EPMC8665372 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Purpose: Adolescents in Ethiopia face many health problems which emanate from low knowledge and awareness of their reproductive health (RH), though there are additional factors contributing to the problem. Provision of adequate, friendly, and quality RH services to this group of young people is vital to have healthy and productive generation. This systematic review aimed to assemble the top obtainable evidence for the determinants of adolescent RH services utilization in Ethiopia. Methods: Systematic review of literature searches in major databases, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Popline was conducted. English language articles published from 2010 onwards were sought. Socio-demographic and behavioral related outcomes were our interest. Fixed effect model with mantel Haenszel method was used to conduct meta-analysis using Revman5 software. Records were assessed for eligibility by two independent reviewers, with a third reviewer resolving disagreements. Result: Four community-based cross-sectional studies were included in the review. Results of the meta-analysis showed that adolescents whose educational level was primary were 57% less likely to use RH services than adolescents whose educational level was secondary and above. In-school adolescents were 2.39 more likely to utilize Family Planning services than adolescents who were out-of-school. Moreover, adolescents who ever discussed on RH issues with relatives/family/health workers were 3.63 more likely to utilize the services than adolescents who did not discuss with anyone else. Conclusion: We found adolescents' educational level; schooling status and ever discussion on RH issues were associated with RH service utilization in Ethiopia. Health information/education should be given in a regular manner to adolescents in schools and out of school on the availability and need for RH services. Developing the culture of discussion on RH issues within the community may help adolescents to be aware and utilize the available services.
| S-EPMC6489626 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundAccess to neurology specialty care can influence outcomes in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), but may vary based on patient sociodemographic characteristics, including immigration status.ObjectiveTo compare health services utilization in the year of MS diagnosis, one year before diagnosis and two years after diagnosis in immigrants versus long-term residents in Ontario, Canada.MethodsWe identified incident cases of MS among adults aged 20-65 years by applying a validated algorithm to health administrative data in Ontario, Canada, a region with universal health insurance and comprehensive coverage. We separately assessed hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, outpatient neurology visits, other outpatient specialty visits, and primary care visits. We compared rates of health service use in immigrants versus long-term residents using negative binomial regression models with generalized estimating equations adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, urban/rural residence, MS diagnosis calendar year, and comorbidity burden.ResultsFrom 2003 to 2014, there were 13,028 incident MS cases in Ontario, of whom 1,070 (8.2%) were immigrants. As compared to long-term residents, rates of hospitalization were similar (Adjusted rate ratio (ARR) 0.86; 95% CI: 0.73-1.01) in immigrants the year before MS diagnosis, but outpatient neurology visits (ARR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87-0.99) were slightly less frequent. However, immigrants had higher rates of hospitalization during the diagnosis year (ARR 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.39), and had greater use of outpatient neurology (ARR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.12-1.23) but fewer ED visits (ARR 0.86; 95% CI: 0.78-0.96). In the first post-diagnosis year, immigrants continued to have greater numbers of outpatient neurology visits (ARR 1.16; 95% CI: 1.10-1.23), but had fewer hospitalizations (ARR 0.79; 95% CI: 0.67-0.94).ConclusionsOverall, our findings were reassuring concerning health services access for immigrants with MS in Ontario, a publicly funded health care system. However, immigrants were more likely to be hospitalized despite greater use of outpatient neurology care in the year of MS diagnosis. Reasons for this may include more severe disease presentation or lack of social support among immigrants and warrant further investigation.
| S-EPMC7347150 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ImportanceMany insulin users ration doses due to high out-of-pocket costs. Starting January 2020 with Colorado, 25 states and the District of Columbia enacted laws that cap insulin copayments.ObjectiveTo estimate the association of Colorado's $100 copayment cap with out-of-pocket spending, medication adherence, and health care services utilization for diabetes-related complications.Design, setting, and participantsIn this cohort study using Colorado's All-Payer Claims Database, nonelderly insulin users with type 1 diabetes were analyzed from January 2019 to December 2020. Outcome changes were compared in the prepolicy and postpolicy period among individuals continuously enrolled in state-regulated and non-state-regulated plans using difference-in-differences regressions. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on individuals' prepolicy spending (low: never ≥$100 out-of-pocket vs high: ≥$100 out-of-pocket cost at least once). Data were analyzed from June 2023 to May 2024.ExposureEnrollment in state-regulated health insurance plans subject to the copayment cap legislation.Main outcomes and measuresAdherence to basal and bolus insulin treatment was evaluated using the proportion of days covered measure, out-of-pocket spending reflected prescription cost for a 30-day supply, and health care utilization for diabetes-related complications was identified using primary diagnosis codes from medical claims data.ResultsThe panel included 1629 individuals with type 1 diabetes (39 096 person-months), of which 924 were male (56.7%), 540 (33.1%) had 1 or more comorbidities, and the mean (SD) age was 40.6 (15.9) years. Overall, the copayment cap was associated with out-of-pocket spending declines of $17.3 (95% CI, -$27.3 to -$7.3) for basal and $11.5 (95% CI, -$24.7 to $1.7) for bolus insulins and increases in adherence of 3.2 (95% CI, 0.0 to 6.5) percentage points for basal and 3.3 (95% CI, 0.3 to 6.4) percentage points for bolus insulins. Changes in adherence were associated with increases within the prepolicy high-spending group (basal, 9.9; 95% CI, 2.4 to 17.4 percentage points; bolus, 13.0; 95% CI, 5.1 to 20.9 percentage points). The policy was also associated with a mean reduction of -0.09 (95% CI, -0.16 to -0.02) medical claims for diabetes-related complications per person per month among high spenders, a 30% decrease.Conclusions and relevanceIn this cohort study of Colorado's insulin copayment cap among individuals with type 1 diabetes, the policy was associated with an overall decline in out-of-pocket spending, an increase in medication adherence, and a decline in claims for diabetes-related complications only among insulin users who spent more than $100 in the prepolicy period at least once.
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