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Little is known about longitudinal associations between food insecurity (FI) and diet, weight, and glycemia in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In a secondary analysis of Medicaid-enrolled health center patients with prediabetes or T2D in Boston, Massachusetts (N = 188), we examined associations between food security (FS) and measures of diet quality, weight, and hyperglycemia. FS (10-item USDA FS module) was ascertained at baseline, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up and categorized as persistently secure, intermittently insecure, or persistently insecure. Associations between FS category and changes in Healthy Eating Index-2020 (HEI-20), body mass index (BMI), and hemoglobin A1c (A1c) from baseline to year 2 were assessed using multivariate generalized linear models. Participants had median (p25, p75) age of 52 (42, 57); 71.8% were female and 62.8% Hispanic. Over follow-up, 32.4% were persistently food secure, 33.0% intermittently insecure, and 34.5% persistently insecure. Baseline mean (SD) HEI-20, BMI, and A1c were 55.8 (14.5), 35.9 (8.7) kg/m2, 7.1% (1.6) and did not differ by FS category. FS category was not associated with changes in HEI-20, BMI, and A1c at 2 years (all p > 0.05). Results suggest that Medicaid-enrolled adults with prediabetes or T2D, regardless of FS status, would benefit from dietary and weight management interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To provide a research agenda and recommendations to address inequities in access to health care. Data Sources and Study Setting: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) organized a Health Equity Summit in July 2022 to evaluate what equity in access to health care means in the context of AHRQ's mission and health care delivery implementation portfolio. The findings are a result of this Summit, and subsequent convenings of experts on access and equity from academia, industry, and the government. Study Design: Multi‐stakeholder input from AHRQ's Health Equity Summit, author consensus on a framework and key knowledge gaps, and summary of evidence from the supporting literature in the context of the framework ensure comprehensive recommendations. Data Collection/Extraction Methods: Through a stakeholder‐engaged process, themes were developed to conceptualize access with a lens toward health equity. A working group researched the most appropriate framework for access to care to classify limitations identified during the Summit and develop recommendations supported by research in the context of the framework. This strategy was intentional, as the literature on inequities in access to care may itself be biased. Principal Findings: The Levesque et al. framework, which incorporates multiple dimensions of access (approachability, acceptability, availability, accommodation, affordability, and appropriateness), is the backdrop for framing research priorities for AHRQ. However, addressing inequities in access cannot be done without considering the roles of racism and intersectionality. Recommendations include funding research that not only measures racism within health care but also tests burgeoning anti‐racist practices (e.g., co‐production, provider training, holistic review, discrimination reporting, etc.), acting as a convener and thought leader in synthesizing best practices to mitigate racism, and forging the path forward for research on equity and access. Conclusions: AHRQ is well‐positioned to develop an action plan, strategically fund it, and convene stakeholders across the health care spectrum to employ these recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors examined associations between criminal legal involvement (CLI) and serious psychological distress and how these associations differed by racial-ethnic group. The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of multiple cross-sections of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2015–2019) and used multivariable linear probability regression models to assess lifetime CLI and past-year probation, parole, supervised release, or other conditional release in a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized U.S. adults, ages ≥18 years (N=214,505), with and without serious psychological distress. Adults with serious psychological distress had higher rates of CLI than adults without such distress (difference of 4.1 percentage points, 95% CI=3.3–4.8, p<0.001). The rate of CLI increased as distress severity increased, from mild (3.2 percentage-point difference, 95% CI=2.6–3.8, p<0.001) to high (7.2 percentage-point difference, 95% CI=6.4–8.0, p<0.001). The risk for CLI among those with serious psychological distress was even greater for Black and Latinx adults than for White adults (1.8 percentage-point difference, 95% CI=0.1–3.5, p<0.05, and 3.2 percentage-point difference, 95% CI=1.3–5.2, p<0.01, respectively). Rates of CLI were higher for adults with serious psychological distress. Efforts are needed to equitably triage individuals with acute mental health needs to timely psychiatric care instead of carceral settings. Collaborative models of care that commingle resources from mental health and law enforcement organizations are needed to prevent unnecessary incarceration of individuals experiencing mental health crises and to increase access to community-based treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with serious mental illness have a high prevalence of tobacco use disorder and related early mortality but underutilize smoking cessation medication. The authors determined whether clinician-delivered education to primary care providers regarding safety, efficacy, and importance of cessation medication (provider education [PE]) alone or combined with community health worker (CHW) support would increase tobacco abstinence in this population, compared with usual care. All adult current tobacco smokers receiving psychiatric rehabilitation for serious mental illness through two community agencies in Greater Boston were eligible, regardless of readiness to quit smoking. Primary care clinics were cluster randomized to PE or usual care, with a nested, participant-level randomization to CHW or no CHW in PE-assigned clinics. The primary outcome was blindly assessed, biochemically verified tobacco abstinence at year 2. Overall, 1,010 eligible participants were enrolled. PE was delivered to providers in 53 of 55 assigned clinics; 220 of 336 CHW-assigned participants consented to CHW support. Year 2 abstinence rates were significantly higher among participants assigned to PE+CHW versus usual care (12% vs. 5%; adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.20–4.79) or PE alone (12% vs. 7%; AOR=1.84, 95% CI=1.04–3.24). No effect of PE alone on abstinence was detected. Compared with participants assigned to usual care, those assigned to PE+CHW had greater odds of varenicline use (OR=2.77, 95% CI=1.61–4.75), which was associated with higher year 2 abstinence (OR=1.97, 95% CI=1.16–3.33). Combined PE and CHW tobacco cessation support increased tobacco abstinence rates among adults with serious mental illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social determinants of health (SDOH) are associated with cardiovascular disease, but little is known about mechanisms underlying those relationships. We hypothesized that SDOH would be associated with uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) in adults with Medicaid. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of adults in a Medicaid accountable care organization who had HTN diagnoses, received regular care at community health centers, and enrolled in a cohort study between December 2019 and December 2020. Baseline surveys collected demographics and SDOH, including food insecurity, unstable housing, cost-related medication underuse, and financial stress. Blood pressure (BP) measurements over 12 months after survey completion were obtained from the electronic health record. Participants were categorized as: uncontrolled HTN (mean systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg and/or mean diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg), controlled HTN, or unknown HTN control (no BP documented). We examined the association of individual and cumulative (count, 0-4) SDOH with uncontrolled HTN and unknown HTN control using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for demographics, smoking, diabetes, and HTN medication. Results: Participants (n = 245) were mean (SD) age 51.3 (8.6) years, 66.1% female, 43.7% Hispanic, 34.3% White, and 18.0% Black. Overall, 58.0% had food insecurity, 38.0% had unstable housing, 29.4% had financial stress, and 20.0% reported cost-related medication underuse. BP was documented for 180 participants; 44 (24.4%) had uncontrolled HTN. In multivariable models, neither individual nor cumulative SDOH were associated with uncontrolled HTN or unknown HTN control. Conclusions: In a Medicaid-insured population receiving care at community health centers, adverse SDOH were prevalent but were not associated with HTN control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The authors used a large clinical data set to determine which index diagnoses of schizophrenia spectrum disorder were new diagnoses.Methods: Using the Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Database (2012–2016), the authors identified patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder diagnosis in 2016 (index diagnosis) and then reviewed patients’ care histories for the previous 12, 24, 36, and 48 months to identify previous diagnoses. Logistic regression was used to examine patient characteristics associated with the index diagnosis being a new diagnosis.Results: Overall, 7,217 individuals ages 15–35 years had a 2016 diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder; 67.7% had at least 48 months of historical data. Among those with at least 48 months of care history, 23% had no previous diagnoses. Diagnoses from inpatient psychiatric admissions or among female or younger patients were more likely to represent new diagnoses, compared with diagnoses from most other diagnosis locations or among males or older age groups, and outpatient diagnoses were less likely to represent new diagnoses than were most other diagnosis settings. Reviewing 48 instead of 12 months of data reduced estimated rates of new diagnoses from 112 to 66 per 100,000 persons; historical diagnoses were detected for 61% and 77% of patients with 12 or 48 months of care history, respectively.Conclusions: Examining multiple years of patient history spanning all payers and providers is critical to identifying new schizophrenia spectrum disorder diagnoses in large data sets. Review of 48 months of care history resulted in lower rates of new schizophrenia spectrum disorder diagnoses than previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: The 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) increased the availability and magnitude of premium tax credits (PTCs) for consumers purchasing individual marketplace plans in 2021-2022. Millions currently purchase PTC-ineligible plans off of the marketplace. We estimate the proportion of off-marketplace enrollees who would be eligible for the expanded PTCs under ARPA, calculate PTC amounts for eligible enrollees, and examine factors influencing plan choice that could inform outreach efforts. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed data from a survey of a random sample of off-marketplace enrollees in California in 2017 (n = 829). METHODS: Using survey data including self-reported income, household size, and employment status combined with 2021 benchmark premium data from Covered California, we estimate eligibility for PTCs and potential PTC amounts under ARPA among off-marketplace enrollees. We adjust for both survey design weights and poststratification weights. RESULTS: Among off-marketplace enrollees, we estimate that approximately 12% are potentially ineligible for PTCs because they reported incomes less than 100% of the poverty level or because they had access to employer-sponsored coverage for their family through themselves or their partner. The median annual PTC in 2021 for eligible off-marketplace enrollees was $311 but varied greatly by age, family or individual plan, and household income (5%-95% range, $0-$14,836). In 2017, 69% of off-marketplace enrollees were unaware that they had to enroll in marketplace plans to receive PTCs, and 51% received enrollment assistance from insurance brokers. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the need for targeted outreach to encourage off-marketplace enrollees to switch to marketplace plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we genotyped parasites from the fecal specimens of sporadic cryptosporidiosis cases in British Columbia from 1995 to 1999. Genotyping was conducted by polymerase chain amplification of the [...]

Abstract Background Little is known about drug cost communications of Medicare Part D beneficiaries with chronic conditions such as diabetes. The purpose of this study is to assess Medicare Part D beneficiaries with diabetes' levels of communication with physicians regarding prescription drug costs; the perceived importance of these communications; levels of prescription drug switching due to cost; and self-reported cost-related medication non-adherence. Methods Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey (58% response rate) of 1,458 Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who entered the coverage gap in 2006; adjusted percentages of patients with communication issues were obtained from multivariate regression analyses adjusting for patient demographics and clinical characteristics. Results Fewer than half of patients reported discussing the cost of medications with their physicians, while over 75% reported that such communications were important. Forty-eight percent reported their physician had switched to a less expensive medication due to costs. Minorities, females, and older adults had significantly lower levels of communication with their physicians regarding drug costs than white, male, and younger patients respectively. Patients with < $25 K annual household income were more likely than higher income patients to have talked about prescription drug costs with doctors, and to report cost-related non-adherence (27% vs. 17%, p < .001). Conclusions Medicare Part D beneficiaries with diabetes who entered the coverage gap have low levels of communication with physicians about drug costs, despite the high perceived importance of such communication. Understanding patient and plan-level characteristics differences in communication and use of cost-cutting strategies can inform interventions to help patients manage prescription drug costs.

Abstract Background Patients face increasing insurance restrictions on prescription drugs, including generic-only coverage. There are no generic inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), which are a mainstay of asthma therapy, and patients pay the full price for these drugs under generic-only policies. We examined changes in ICS use following the introduction of generic-only coverage in a Medicare Advantage population from 2003–2004. Methods Subjects were age 65+, with asthma, prior ICS use, and no chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (n = 1,802). In 2004, 74.0% switched from having a $30 brand-copayment plan to a generic-only coverage plan (restricted coverage); 26% had $15–25 brand copayments in 2003–2004 (unrestricted coverage). Using linear difference-in-difference models, we examined annual changes in ICS use (measured by days-of-supply dispensed). There was a lower-cost ICS available within the study setting and we also examined changes in drug choice (higher- vs. lower-cost ICS). In multivariable models we adjusted for socio-demographic, clinical, and asthma characteristics. Results In 2003 subjects had an average of 188 days of ICS supply. Restricted compared with unrestricted coverage was associated with reductions in ICS use from 2003–2004 (-15.5 days-of-supply, 95% confidence interval (CI): -25.0 to -6.0). Among patients using higher-cost ICS drugs in 2003 (n = 662), more restricted versus unrestricted coverage subjects switched to the lower-cost ICS in 2004 (39.8% vs. 10.3%). Restricted coverage was not associated with decreased ICS use (2003–2004) among patients who switched to the lower-cost ICS (18.7 days-of-supply, CI: -27.5 to 65.0), but was among patients who did not switch (-38.6 days-of-supply, CI: -57.0 to -20.3). In addition, restricted coverage was associated with decreases in ICS use among patients with both higher- and lower-risk asthma (-15.0 days-of-supply, CI: -41.4 to 11.44; and -15.6 days-of-supply, CI: -25.8 to -5.3, respectively). Conclusion In this elderly population, patients reduced their already low ICS use in response to losing drug coverage. Switching to the lower-cost ICS mitigated reductions in use among patients who previously used higher-cost drugs. Additional work is needed to assess barriers to switching ICS drugs and the clinical effects of these drug use changes.

Importance: Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) receive federal funding to serve medically underserved areas and provide a range of services including comprehensive primary care, enabling services, and behavioral health care. Greater funding for FQHCs could increase the local availability of clinic-based care and help reduce more costly resource use, such as emergency department visits (ED). Objective: To examine the impact of funding increases for FQHCs after the ACA on the use of FQHCs and EDs. Methods: Retrospective study using the Massachusetts All Payer Claims Database (APCD) 2010–2013 that included APCD enrollees in 559 Massachusetts ZIP codes (N = 6,173,563 in 2010). We calculated shift-share predictions of changes in FQHC funding at the ZIP code-level for FQHCs that received Community Health Center funds in any year, 2010–13 (N = 31). Outcomes were the number of ZIP code enrollees with visits to FQHCs and EDs, overall and for emergent and non-emergent diagnoses. Results: In 2010, 4% of study subjects visited a FQHC, and they were more likely to be younger, have Medicaid, and live in low-income areas. We found that a standard deviation increase in prior year FQHC funding (+31 percentage point (pp)) at the ZIP code level was associated with a 2.3pp (95% CI 0.7pp to 3.8pp) increase in enrollees with FQHC visits and a 1.3pp (95% CI -2.3pp to -0.3pp) decrease in enrollees with non-emergent ED visits, but no significant change in emergent ED visits (0.3pp, 95% CI -0.8pp to 1.4pp). Conclusions: We found that areas exposed to greater FQHC funding increases had more growth in the number of enrollees seen by FQHCs and greater reductions in ED visits for non-emergent conditions. Investment in FQHCs could be a promising approach to increase access to care for underserved populations and reduce costly ED visits, especially for primary care treatable or non-emergent conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Access to specialty mental health care may be poor because many psychiatrists do not accept health insurance reimbursement, whereas many patients rely on insurance to help pay for care. The objective of this study was to examine the extent of participation in private insurance by licensed psychiatrists.Methods: Using 2013 Massachusetts licensing data and the All-Payer Claims Database (APCD), the authors performed a cross-sectional analysis of licensed psychiatrists in Massachusetts. The fraction of psychiatrists who filed insurance claims, number of unique patients with insurance claims per psychiatrist, and physician characteristics associated with insurance participation were evaluated.Results: In 2013, Massachusetts had 2,348 licensed psychiatrists. Overall, 79% (N=1,843) had at least one paid claim for an outpatient visit in the APCD, but only 6% (N=151) had claims for at least 300 patients per year (a full caseload). Psychiatrists had a median of 18 patients with claims (mean=73). Compared with psychiatrists 30-39 years since medical school graduation, those within 19 years since graduation were less likely to bill for an outpatient (7-19 years, odds ratio [OR]=0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.47-0.94) and less likely to have claims for ≥300 patients per year (7-19 years, OR=0.49, 95% CI=0.29-0.83). Participation varied across insurance types (93% for group commercial plans versus 33% for Medicaid managed care plans).Conclusions: Among Massachusetts psychiatrists, participation in the private insurance market appears to be limited. Older psychiatrists are more likely to participate, and patients' access to psychiatrists who accept insurance could worsen as these psychiatrists retire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced reforms to mitigate adverse selection into and within the individual insurance market. We examined the traits and predicted medical spending of enrollees in California post-ACA.Data Sources: Survey of 2,103 enrollees in individual market plans, on- and off-exchange, in 2014.Study Design: We compared actual versus potential participants using data from the 2014 California Health Interview Survey on respondents who were individually insured or uninsured. We predicted annual medical spending for each group using age, sex, self-rated health, body mass index, smoking status, and income.Principal Findings: Average predicted spending was similar for actual ($3,377, 95 percent CI [$3,280-$3,474]) and potential participants ($3,257 [$3,060-$3,454]); however, some vulnerable subgroups were underrepresented. On- versus off-exchange enrollees differed in sociodemographic and health traits with modest differences in spending ($3,448 [$3,330-$3,565] vs. $3,175 [$3,012-$3,338]).Conclusions: We did not find evidence of selection into the overall insurance pool in 2014; however, differences by exchange status reflect the importance of including off-exchange enrollees in analyses and the pool for risk adjustment. California's post-ACA individual market has been a relative success, highlighting the importance of state policies and outreach efforts to encourage participation in the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient reports of their adherence behaviors, concerns about statins, and perceptions of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk could inform approaches for improving adherence to statin therapy. We examined these factors and their associations with adherence. Methods: We conducted telephone interviews among a stratified random sample of adults receiving statins within an integrated delivery system (N = 730, 81% response rate) in 2010. We sampled equal numbers of individuals in three clinical risk categories: those with 1) coronary artery disease; 2) diabetes or other ASCVD diagnosis; and 3) no diabetes or ASCVD diagnoses. We assessed 15 potential concerns about and barriers to taking statins, and perceived risk of having a heart attack in the next 10 years (0–10 scale). We calculated the proportion of days covered (PDC) by statins in the last 12 months using dispensing data and used multivariate logistic regression to examine the characteristics associated with non-adherence (PDC<80%). Analyses were weighted for sampling proportions. Results: Sixty-one percent of patients with PDC<50% reported not filling a new prescription, splitting or skipping statins, or stopping refilling statins in the last 12 months vs. 15% of those with PDC≥80% (p<0.05). The most commonly reported concerns about statins were preferring to lower cholesterol with lifestyle changes (66%), disliking medications in general (59%), and liver or kidney problems (31%); having trouble remembering to take statins (9%) was the most common reason for taking less than prescribed. In multivariate analyses, clinical risk categories were not significantly associated with odds of non-adherence; however, those with higher perceived risk of heart attack were less likely to be non-adherent. Conclusions: Patient-reported medication-taking behaviors were correlated with statin PDC and those with lower perceived cardiovascular risk were less likely to be adherent. These findings highlight the importance of eliciting from and educating patients on their adherence behaviors and ASCVD risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine changes in children's albuterol use and out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in response to increased copayments after the Food and Drug Administration banned inhalers with chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants.Setting: Four health maintenance organizations (HMOs), two that increased copayments for albuterol inhalers that went from generic CFC-containing to branded CFC-free versions, and two that retained generic copayments for CFC-free inhalers (controls). We included children with asthma aged 4-17 years with commercial coverage from 2007 to 2010.Design: Interrupted time series with comparison series.Data: We obtained enrollee and plan characteristics from enrollment files, and utilization data from pharmacy and medical claims; OOP expenditures were extracted from pharmacy claims for two HMOs with cost data available.Findings: There were no significant differences in albuterol use between the group with increased cost-sharing and controls with respect to changes after the policy change. There was a postpolicy increase of $6.11 OOP per month per child using albuterol among those with increased cost-sharing versus $0.36 in controls; the difference between groups was significant (p < .01).Conclusions: Increased copayments for brand-name CFC-free albuterol after the CFC ban did not lead to a decrease in children's albuterol use, but it led to a modest increase in OOP costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To study the impact of eliminating cost sharing for screening mammography on mammography rates in a large Medicare Advantage (MA) health plan which in 2010 eliminated cost sharing in anticipation of the Affordable Care Act mandate.Study Setting: Large MA health maintenance organization offering individual-subscriber MA insurance and employer-supplemented group MA insurance.Study Design: We investigated the impact on breast cancer screening of a policy that eliminated a $20 copayment for screening mammography in 2010 among 53,188 women continuously enrolled from 2007 to 2012 in an individual-subscriber MA plan, compared with 42,473 women with employer-supplemented group MA insurance in the same health maintenance organization who had full screening coverage during this period. We used differences-in-differences analysis to study the impact of cost-sharing elimination on mammography rates.Principal Findings: Annual screening rates declined over time for both groups, with similar trends pre-2010 and a slower decline after 2010 among women whose copayments were eliminated. Among women aged 65-74 years in the individual-subscriber MA plan, 44.9 percent received screening in 2009 compared with 40.9 percent in 2012, while 49.5 percent of women in the employer-supplemented MA plan received screening in 2009 compared with 44.1 percent in 2012, that is, a difference-in-difference effect of 1.4 percentage points less decline in screening among women experiencing the cost-sharing elimination. Effects were concentrated among women without recent screening. There were no differences by neighborhood socioeconomic status or race/ethnicity.Conclusions: Eliminating cost sharing for screening mammography was associated with modesty lower decline in screening rates among women with previously low screening adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Standard Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits include substantial and complex cost-sharing. Many beneficiaries also have functional limitations that could affect self-care capabilities, including managing medications, but also have varying levels of social support to help with these activities. We examined the associations between drug cost responses, functional limitations, and social support. Data Sources and Study Setting: We conducted telephone interviews in a stratified random sample of community-dwelling Medicare Advantage beneficiaries (N = 1,201, response rate = 70.0%). Participants reported their functional status (i.e., difficulty with activities of daily living) and social support (i.e., receiving help with medications). Drug cost responses included cost-reducing behaviors, cost-related non-adherence, and financial stress. Study Design: We used multivariate logistic regression to assess associations among functional status, help with medications, and drug cost responses, adjusting for patient characteristics. Principal Findings: Respondents with multiple limitations who did not receive help with their medications were more likely to report cost-related non-adherence (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.2–8.5) and financial stress (OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.3–4.5) compared to subjects with fewer limitations and no help; however, those with multiple limitations and with medication help had similar odds of unfavorable cost responses as those with fewer limitations. Conclusion: The majority of beneficiaries with functional limitations did not receive help with medications. Support with medication management for beneficiaries who have functional limitations could improve adherence and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Objective: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded coverage for young adults by allowing them to remain dependents on their parents' plans until age 26 (in 2010) and expanding Medicaid to childless adults with incomes <138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) (in 2014). However, even post‐ACA, uninsured rates by age group were highest among young adults. In 2014, Massachusetts also expanded Medicaid eligibility for children to 19‐20‐year‐olds with incomes up to 150% FPL, which could reduce potential gaps in coverage for those who would otherwise age out of eligibility for Medicaid as children after age 18. We used the Massachusetts All Payer Claims Database to examine changes in coverage for Medicaid enrollees who turned 19 years old before and after the policy change. Study Design: We used data from the Massachusetts All Payer Claims Database (MA‐APCD) from 2012–2016 to examine two cohorts: Medicaid enrollees age 18 as of January 2012 and as of January 2014, who turned 19 years old prior to vs. after Medicaid expansion (pre‐ and post‐expansion cohorts, respectively). Monthly coverage changes for each cohort were examined for 2 years until they turned 21 years old (2012–2014 or 2014–2016). We classified months without insurance enrollment records as uninsured. We used logistic regression models to compare the likelihood of being uninsured for 3 or more months at age 19–20 and 20–21 for the pre‐ vs. post‐expansion cohorts, adjusting for gender, diagnoses of asthma, autism, obesity, mental illness, and intellectual and development disabilities, and ZIP code socioeconomic status (SES). Population Studied: Medicaid enrollees age 18 in January 2012 (N = 32,832) and January 2014 (N = 31,894) in the MA‐APCD. Principal Findings: In both cohorts, 49% were female and 29% lived in low SES ZIP codes; those who turned 19 prior to vs. after Medicaid expansion were less likely to have a baseline diagnosis of asthma (12.1% vs. 12.9%, p < 0.05), obesity (7.6% vs. 8.7%, p < 0.05), and mental illness (17.4% vs. 18.8%, p < 0.05). Enrollees who turned 19 prior to vs. after Medicaid expansion were more likely to have ≥3 months of commercial insurance at age 19–20 (8.5% vs. 3.6%; OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.7, 2.0) and ≥ 3 months without insurance (17.0% vs. 1.2%; OR = 20.3, 95% CI 17.4, 23.6). Differences persisted at age 20–21, although both cohorts had access to Medicaid expansion for low‐income adults in these years (7.6% vs. 4.9%, OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.3,1.6 for ≥3 months of commercial insurance; 11.5% vs. 0.9%, OR = 16.4, 95% CI 13.7, 19.5 for ≥3 months without insurance). Conclusions: Disruptions in insurance coverage for young adults aging out of Medicaid were substantially reduced in Massachusetts after the state expanded Medicaid for children to cover 19–20‐year‐olds and expanded coverage for low‐income adults. Commercial insurance coverage was also less likely for young adults after Medicaid expansion. Medicaid enrollees that entered adulthood prior to vs. after Medicaid expansion were more likely to be uninsured in years after Medicaid expansion. Implications for Policy or Practice: Expanding Medicaid eligibility for children to those ages 19–20 could substantially reduce the risk of becoming uninsured for low‐income children entering young adulthood. Primary Funding Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Objective: The Community Health Center Fund (CHCF) was created by the Affordable Care Act in 2011 to increase access to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and now comprises the majority of federal Section 330 funds that support FQHCs. The CHCF, however, has faced numerous expirations and short‐term extensions since 2015, which could pose challenges to long‐term planning, especially for FQHCs that rely more on federal funds. To examine the potential implications of changes or lapses in federal funding, we identified FQHCs that likely receive a larger share of revenue from federal funds and compared their local area traits with other FQHCs. Study Design: We used publicly available data for 2010–2018 from the Uniform Data System, which contains information on FQHC traits, patient volume, and non‐patient revenue. Because total and patient revenue were unavailable, we classified FQHCs as receiving a high share of total revenue from Section 330 funding if >75% of their non‐patient revenue was from Section 330 funding and > 25% of their patients were uninsured (as a proxy for patient revenue). We assessed the association between annual changes in Section 330 funding and FQHC patient volume for FQHCs meeting this classification vs. not, using multivariate linear regression with FQHC‐level random effects. We then compared FQHCs with vs. without a high share of revenue from Section 330 funding in 2018 using multivariate logistic regression. Lastly, we compared county‐level COVID‐19 mortality data for these FQHCs. Population Studied: FQHCs, excluding those in US territories, that received Section 330 funding 2010–2018 (N = 1258 in 2018). Principal Findings: Although the mean proportion of uninsured FQHC patients decreased from 38.2% to 23.9% from 2010–2018, more FQHCs were classified as having a high Section 330 revenue share: 7.9% in 2010 (N = 80) versus 16.2% in 2018 (N = 203). The positive association between annual changes in Section 330 funding and patient volume was greater for FQHCs classified as having high Section 330 revenue share vs. not (+0.05 percentage point greater increase in patient volume [95% CI: 0.03–0.07] for a 1‐ppt increase in funding). In 2018, compared to other FQHCs, those with a high Section 330 revenue share were smaller, more often located in the South (68.5% vs. 27.7%; aOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.27–6.81 vs. Northeast) and primary care shortage areas (57.6% vs. 30.1%; aOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.23–3.00), and less likely in Medicaid expansion states (35.5% vs. 77.7%, aOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.21–0.52). In bivariate analyses, FQHCs with high Section 330 revenue share were located in counties with higher mean COVID‐19 mortality rates (e.g., 102.2 vs. 84.8 deaths/100,000 for May–December 2020, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patient volume was more responsive to changes in Section 330 funding for FQHCs with high proportions of uninsured patients and non‐patient revenue from Section 330 funds. FQHCs that could be more vulnerable to lapses in federal funding are more frequently located in the South, primary care shortage areas, states without Medicaid expansion, and counties with higher COVID‐19 mortality rates. Implications for Policy or Practice: These findings underscore the importance of longer‐term reauthorization of the CHCF to maintain consistent access to safety net care for underserved populations, including those disproportionately impacted by COVID‐19. Primary Funding Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about drug cost communications of Medicare Part D beneficiaries with chronic conditions such as diabetes. The purpose of this study is to assess Medicare Part D beneficiaries with diabetes' levels of communication with physicians regarding prescription drug costs; the perceived importance of these communications; levels of prescription drug switching due to cost; and self-reported cost-related medication non-adherence. Methods: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey (58% response rate) of 1,458 Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who entered the coverage gap in 2006; adjusted percentages of patients with communication issues were obtained from multivariate regression analyses adjusting for patient demographics and clinical characteristics. Results: Fewer than half of patients reported discussing the cost of medications with their physicians, while over 75% reported that such communications were important. Forty-eight percent reported their physician had switched to a less expensive medication due to costs. Minorities, females, and older adults had significantly lower levels of communication with their physicians regarding drug costs than white, male, and younger patients respectively. Patients with < $25 K annual household income were more likely than higher income patients to have talked about prescription drug costs with doctors, and to report cost-related non-adherence (27% vs. 17%, p < .001). Conclusions: Medicare Part D beneficiaries with diabetes who entered the coverage gap have low levels of communication with physicians about drug costs, despite the high perceived importance of such communication. Understanding patient and plan-level characteristics differences in communication and use of cost-cutting strategies can inform interventions to help patients manage prescription drug costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients face increasing insurance restrictions on prescription drugs, including generic-only coverage. There are no generic inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), which are a mainstay of asthma therapy, and patients pay the full price for these drugs under generic-only policies. We examined changes in ICS use following the introduction of generic-only coverage in a Medicare Advantage population from 2003-2004. Methods: Subjects were age 65+, with asthma, prior ICS use, and no chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (n = 1,802). In 2004, 74.0% switched from having a $30 brand-copayment plan to a generic-only coverage plan (restricted coverage); 26% had $15-25 brand copayments in 2003-2004 (unrestricted coverage). Using linear difference-in-difference models, we examined annual changes in ICS use (measured by days-of-supply dispensed). There was a lower-cost ICS available within the study setting and we also examined changes in drug choice (higher- vs. lower-cost ICS). In multivariable models we adjusted for socio-demographic, clinical, and asthma characteristics. Results: In 2003 subjects had an average of 188 days of ICS supply. Restricted compared with unrestricted coverage was associated with reductions in ICS use from 2003-2004 (-15.5 days-of-supply, 95% confidence interval (CI): -25.0 to -6.0). Among patients using higher-cost ICS drugs in 2003 (n = 662), more restricted versus unrestricted coverage subjects switched to the lower-cost ICS in 2004 (39.8% vs. 10.3%). Restricted coverage was not associated with decreased ICS use (2003-2004) among patients who switched to the lower-cost ICS (18.7 days-of-supply, CI: -27.5 to 65.0), but was among patients who did not switch (-38.6 days-of-supply, CI: -57.0 to -20.3). In addition, restricted coverage was associated with decreases in ICS use among patients with both higher- and lower-risk asthma (-15.0 days-of-supply, CI: - 41.4 to 11.44; and -15.6 days-of-supply, CI: -25.8 to -5.3, respectively). Conclusion: In this elderly population, patients reduced their already low ICS use in response to losing drug coverage. Switching to the lower-cost ICS mitigated reductions in use among patients who previously used higher-cost drugs. Additional work is needed to assess barriers to switching ICS drugs and the clinical effects of these drug use changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about drug cost communications of Medicare Part D beneficiaries with chronic conditions such as diabetes. The purpose of this study is to assess Medicare Part D beneficiaries with diabetes' levels of communication with physicians regarding prescription drug costs; the perceived importance of these communications; levels of prescription drug switching due to cost; and self-reported cost-related medication non-adherence.Methods: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey (58% response rate) of 1,458 Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who entered the coverage gap in 2006; adjusted percentages of patients with communication issues were obtained from multivariate regression analyses adjusting for patient demographics and clinical characteristics.Results: Fewer than half of patients reported discussing the cost of medications with their physicians, while over 75% reported that such communications were important. Forty-eight percent reported their physician had switched to a less expensive medication due to costs. Minorities, females, and older adults had significantly lower levels of communication with their physicians regarding drug costs than white, male, and younger patients respectively. Patients with < $25 K annual household income were more likely than higher income patients to have talked about prescription drug costs with doctors, and to report cost-related non-adherence (27% vs. 17%, p < .001).Conclusions: Medicare Part D beneficiaries with diabetes who entered the coverage gap have low levels of communication with physicians about drug costs, despite the high perceived importance of such communication. Understanding patient and plan-level characteristics differences in communication and use of cost-cutting strategies can inform interventions to help patients manage prescription drug costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]