May 2019

The authors examined the accuracy of provider directories and found widespread errors. Machine-readable directories are not more accurate than conventional directories, despite their advantages. A survey of promising initiatives to improve directory accuracy was also completed.

This study evaluates the long-term cost-effectiveness of treatment involving combination therapy with dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors compared with an alternative with sulfonyureas prior to insulin initiation on a background of metformin.

Correction to the Trends From the Field article, “Health Literacy, Preventive Health Screening, and Medication Adherence Behaviors of Older African Americans at a PCMH,” published in the September 2018 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care®.

For primary care to fulfill its promise of promoting a healthier population and more efficient spending, deliberate efforts to curtail the use of low-value services are warranted.

The removal of cost sharing increased primary care access and did not negatively affect total cost of care.

The combination of electronic consultations and active triage of specialty care consults effectively reduces wait times for outpatient clinics.

Expansion of episode of care measurement models to include presurgical care is an added opportunity to improve quality, value, and efficiency in healthcare delivery.

This study explores the causes of emotionally adverse patient experiences in cancer care and presents a taxonomy for analyzing free-text patient data.

A formal protocol for urgent care center evaluation of potential acute coronary syndrome safely precluded emergency department visits among 84% of those eligible.

This paper describes a replicable process for standardizing disparate databases and methods to calculate cost and quality measures within and across states.

Preventive service use was better in patients with a usual source of care but little improved by patient-centered medical home status.

Cost is a common barrier to medication adherence. The authors discuss the potential role of medication rebates in patients’ out-of-pocket costs and medication adherence.