Authors

Composite Inflammatory Index Linked to Elevated RA Risk

Elevated levels of a combined biomarker integrating CRP, triglycerides, and glucose are associated with increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

The Value of Virtual Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Care

This counterfactual simulation study on a nationally representative sample of the working population with musculoskeletal conditions estimated the value of patient-initiated virtual physical therapy.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: 50 Years of Societal Value From LDL-C–Lowering Therapies

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)–lowering therapies have yielded significant value to society through reduced costs for both fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular disease events. The vast majority of this value has accrued to patients.

Patient and Supporter Factors Affecting Engagement With Diabetes Telehealth

Family support with medication management and recent urgent self-management concerns are 2 novel factors, among others, that predict completion of diabetes telehealth calls.

Assessing New York’s Health Care Disparities Using Health Plan Quality Data

Utilizing the Health Insurance Disparities Index for assessment, the authors found that New York’s Medicaid health maintenance organizations (HMOs) outperformed Medicaid HMOs nationally in addressing health care disparities from 2019 to 2023.

Utilization of Low- and High-Value Health Care by Individuals With and Without Cognitive Impairment

Low-value service utilization is common among all older adults, and utilization of some high-value services decreases after the onset of cognitive decline.

Real-World Value of Direct-Acting Antivirals for Hepatitis C at Kaiser Permanente Southern California

This analysis demonstrates value and innovation of direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in the US Kaiser Permanente health system.

The Relationship Between the Follow-up to Discharge Ratio and Length of Stay

The objective was to evaluate the correlation between the follow-up to discharge ratio and average length of stay.

Primary Care Practice Structural Capabilities in Health Professional Shortage Areas

Nurse practitioners are increasingly meeting primary care demands in underserved areas and are more likely to deliver structural capabilities related to chronic disease management.

Longer Appointment Duration Reduces Future Missed Appointments in Safety-Net Clinics

Longer appointment duration was associated with lower likelihood of missed appointments for patients receiving care at a federally qualified health center network.

Impact of Advance Care Planning Consults on Advance Directives Completion

Implementing advance care planning consults can increase advance directive completion rates. The authors demonstrate the impact of consults on completed advance directives in the medical record.

Journey to Anticoagulant Access Following Payer Rejection of Apixaban

Formulary restrictions can create treatment barriers for patients with atrial fibrillation, including unnecessary delays in treatment and prescription abandonment, with vulnerable populations at greater risk.

A “Sludge Audit” for Health System Colorectal Cancer Screening Services

A systematic, mixed methods “sludge audit” identified novel health system delivery targets for improving colorectal cancer screening services.

Dialysis Costs for a Health System Participating in Value-Based Care

In a large, integrated health system participating in value-based care, higher costs and utilization were observed before and after unplanned dialysis initiation.

Clinical and Economic Outcomes of a Collaborative Cardiology Care Program

Patients with chronic cardiac conditions benefited from a health care program that strengthened collaboration between general practitioners and cardiology specialists in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.

Diabetes Care Quality: Do Large Medical Groups Perform Better?

Large medical groups perform better than medium- or small-sized groups on diabetes quality measures, perhaps because they have more care management processes in place.

Implementing Multistate Behavioral Health Pay-for-Performance Initiatives in Medicaid Managed Care

The authors describe a pay-for-performance initiative targeting behavioral health providers, which was introduced by a large Medicaid managed care organization across multiple states.

The Relationship Between the Follow-up to Discharge Ratio and Length of Stay

The objective was to evaluate the correlation between the follow-up to discharge ratio and average length of stay.

Value-Based Management of Specialty Drugs: Practical Considerations and Implications for Pharmacy

Policy makers and health plans seek value-based management of specialty drugs. This study examines real-world factors that favor some approaches over others and their potential impact.

Care Coordination Engagement Patterns in Long-Term Patients

Care coordination engagement increases over time in long-term high-cost, high-need patients, with no identifiable data-driven times for when to initiate patient care de-escalation.

Medicare APMs at a Crossroads

To be sustainable and successful, Medicare alternative payment models (APMs) have to attract and retain high and low performers. That requires a different approach to pricing and evaluation.

Telehealth Use in 2022 Among US Adults by Sexual Orientation

In a 2022 survey representative of US adults, sexual minority individuals reported greater rates of telehealth use, especially for mental health visits, than heterosexual individuals.

Trends in Low-Value Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Among adults with newly diagnosed cancer, rates of low-value cancer services persisted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in areas ranging from peridiagnosis imaging to end-of-life care.

Charitable Medication Distribution Improves Care for Uninsured Patients With Diabetes

This report illustrates how providing vital diabetes medications to uninsured patients through a charitable medication distributor improves clinical outcomes.

Medicare Expenditures in the First Year of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Diagnosis

Medicare expenditures for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are more than 3 times those of the average Medicare beneficiary, and drug therapies are an important cost driver.

Impact of More Primary Care Visits on Commercial Health Care Costs

More frequent routine primary care visits for certain higher-risk commercially insured adults are associated with lower net population-level health care costs.

Incorporating Health IT Into Primary Care Transformation

Longitudinal evaluation of an advanced primary care reform effort found some improvements in health information technology (IT) offerings and use as well as opportunities to improve future collaboration.

Care Fragmentation Predicts 90-Day Durable Ventricular Assist Device Outcomes

This analysis evaluates the relationship between hospital care delivery network fragmentation and in-hospital and 90-day outcomes. These networks may be novel targets for improving outcomes.

Participating Faculty: Suprachoroidal Triamcinolone Acetonide Injectable Suspension for Macular Edema Associated With Noninfectious Uveitis: An In-Depth Look at Efficacy and Safety

Predictors of Discharge From the VA Caregiver Support Program

The year of application predicts discharge from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) caregiver program. Unexpected, disallowed criteria also predict discharge, with significant others facing higher discharge risk than spouses.