research
Integrating behavioral health into primary care focus of next CEPAC meeting
The next CEPAC meeting will review the latest research on best practices to effectively integrate behavioral health into primary care practice. Up to 70% of physician visits include a behavioral health component. Patients with chronic conditions are more likely to experience mental illness as well and costs for these patients can be two to three…
Read MoreMedicaid coverage for children linked to higher tax receipts by age 28
A new studyfinds that in addition to improved health and lower mortality, children who were covered by past Medicaid expansions paid more taxes by age 28. The longer they were eligible for Medicaid, the higher the tax receipts. They also had lower Earned Income Tax payments and were more likely to attend college. Interestingly, the…
Read MoreCT’s APCD chooses data contractor, concerns remain
The Hartford Business Journal is reporting that CT’s developing all-payer claims database (APCD), run by AccessHealthCT, has chosen Onpoint Health Data to run their system. APCDs have enormous potential to improve population health, track problems, evaluate solutions and maximize scarce resources. Most New England states are ahead of CT in APCD development. However, concerns have…
Read MoreComparative effectiveness opportunity guide for New England OB-Gyn services
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) has produced a comprehensive analysisof opportunities to reduce overtreatment from the Choosing Wisely list of five overused treatments identified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ICER’s report focuses on New England including analysis of current regional utilization patterns, the feasibility of practice change, resources for…
Read MoreDense breast tissue screening consumer guide available
I don’t believe CEPAC has addressed as sensitive an issue as supplemental screening for dense breast tissue. We heard very moving public testimony from survivors and advocates at the December meeting. About half of women have dense breast tissue and face the questions of determining their risks, whether to have supplemental screening, and if so,…
Read MorePRI report: Recommendations to lower Medicaid ED use
Friday, the legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee released results of their study on Medicaid ED usefinding that while per capita Medicaid members’ use of the ED fell slightly between 2010 and 2012, Medicaid still makes up the largest source of ED users in CT at 36%. Despite the per capita decrease, Medicaid members are…
Read MoreUpdated website and expanded reach for comparative effectiveness org – ICER
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review has a new website with decision aids for consumers and doctors, comparative value analyses of new treatments, and regional roundtables to translate that research into policy. Adding the CA Technology Assessment Forum to their CEPAC work in New England allows millions more people to benefit.
Read MoreAPCD Roundtable – lessons for CT
Yesterday’s CT Health Policy Roundtable on All-Payer Claims Databases yielded many lessons for CT from other states and organizations. Lessons included the need for strong privacy and security protections, avoiding commercial uses, licensing to universities and organizations rather than individuals, and developing a transparent, fair process for access to the data based on the…
Read MoreCT Health Policy Roundtable: CT’s APCD
Join national and state experts for a Roundtable to learn more about the potential for Connecticut’s new All-Payer Claims Database in health care planning, improving health care quality, capacity and promoting health equity. The Roundtable is sponsored by the CT Health Policy Project, the CT Center for Patient Safety and Access Health Analytics and made…
Read MoreComments on CT’s APCD policies and procedures
In support of the enormous potential to promote and guide sensible health planning in CT, consumer advocates, the CT Health Policy Project and the CT Center for Patient Safety, submitted constructive comments on draft policies and procedures for CT’s All-Payer Claims Database, Access Health CT (APCD). We urge APCD leadership to commit to full…
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