The American journal of managed care
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Hospitals in the US operate under various value-based payment programs, but little is known regarding the strategies they use in this context to improve quality and reduce costs, overall or in voluntary programs including Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI-A). ⋯ Hospitals pursue a broad range of efforts to improve quality. BPCI-A hospitals have attempted to reduce use of postacute care, but otherwise the strategies they pursue are similar to other hospitals.
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To examine a 12-month dementia care management program's effect on health care cost, utilization, and overall return on investment in a Medicare managed care population. ⋯ A collaborative dementia care program demonstrated significant financial benefit in a managed Medicare population.
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To examine characteristics of Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees who use their plan's customer service to help plans understand how to better meet members' needs. ⋯ MA customer service supports a less healthy, higher-need population with greater-than-average barriers to health care, and so should be designed and staffed to effectively serve medically complex, high-need patients. Commercial plan evidence suggests that continuity in customer service support for a member or a given issue may be helpful. Customer service is an important mechanism for improving quality and addressing health equity.
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To discuss the social, psychological, and access barriers that inhibit weight loss, and to propose steps and initiatives for addressing the growing obesity epidemic. ⋯ Addressing the obesity epidemic will require a multifaceted approach that focuses on prevention, treatment, and reducing the impact of stigma. Continued advocacy and education efforts are necessary to make progress and improve the health and well-being of individuals affected by obesity.