AJMC® Research Roundup: December 2018

Hi, I’m Christina Mattina for The American Journal of Managed Care^®. Here are 5 findings from research published in the December issue.

Mixed Messages to Consumers From Medicare: Hospital Compare Grades Versus Value-Based Payment Penalty

1. Consumers may be receiving mixed messages on hospital quality, as many hospitals with readmission rates no different than the national rate on the Hospital Compare website still received penalties for excessive readmissions.

Feasibility of Expanded Emergency Department Screening for Behavioral Health Problems

2. Installing a nonclinician in the emergency department to screen patients for behavioral health symptoms is feasible and identified a higher prevalence of symptoms than was recorded in patients’ electronic health records.

The Value of Novel Immuno-Oncology Treatments

3. An analysis estimated substantial value from survival gains with new immuno-oncology treatments versus the existing standard of care for 2 cancers, and the pharmaceutical manufacturers’ profits constitute a low proportion of their total social value.

Patient Experience During a Large Primary Care Practice Transformation Initiative

4. Results of patient satisfaction surveys conducted in primary care practices after the 4-year Comprehensive Primary Care initiative indicate no significant changes in patient experience, but some positive effects on measures of follow-up care.

Medicare Advantage Control of Postacute Costs: Perspectives From Stakeholders

5. Medicare Advantage plans commonly attempt to control postacute care spending by covering stays in approved skilled nursing facilities for a certain number of days, but the nursing facilities often perceived these restrictions as too authoritative.

To read all of these studies and more, visit AJMC.com.