The American journal of managed care
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To compare 12-month total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) rates for digital musculoskeletal (MSK) program members vs patients who received traditional care for knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA). ⋯ These findings suggest that patients who participated in a digital MSK program to manage OA have lower rates of total joint arthroplasty in the 12 months after enrollment.
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To identify the most frequently prescribed medications, the location where prescriptions were filled, and whether a voucher was utilized among patients enrolled in a charitable care program within an academic medical center. ⋯ Overall, this study was able to characterize patient demographics, historical costs related to charitable care coverage, and the utilization of health care services among this population. This information can be used to support the development and implementation of a charitable medication formulary, with the aims of improving quality of care for this population and reducing medical center costs.
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To assess the association between the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and change in low-value cancer services. ⋯ Low-value cancer care remained prevalent throughout the pandemic. Policy makers should consider changes to payment and incentive design to turn the tide against low-value cancer care.
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Medication persistence in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a critical factor for preventing adverse clinical events. We assessed persistence among newly treated patients with T2D and documented the impact of persistence on clinical outcomes and costs. ⋯ Our findings show low persistence among patients with T2D and emphasize the importance of medication persistence, which is associated with cost savings and lower risk of hospitalizations.
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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. ⋯ 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.