research - CT Health Policy

Weeds you should understand

By Ellen Andrews | April 20, 2015 |

A great NY Times Upshot article describes, in normal English, the difference between mortality and survival rates. They do sound the same, but aren’t. The article starts out with two cancer studies seem to have reached opposite conclusions. (These things really bug me because it leads people to throw up their hands and doubt all…

Only 36% of CT physicians have any shared savings arrangements, correcting questionable SIM estimates from 2013 driving expansive policy

By Ellen Andrews | April 15, 2015 |

UConn’s new SIM survey of CT physicians found that currently only 36% of CT physicians participate in any shared savings or ACO program. There is no information on whether shared savings are a significant part of revenues in even the minority of physicians who are in this payment model. Not surprisingly, shared savings is slightly…

Integrating behavioral health into primary care focus of next CEPAC meeting

By Ellen Andrews | March 24, 2015 |

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…

Medicaid coverage for children linked to higher tax receipts by age 28

By Ellen Andrews | January 13, 2015 |

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…

CT’s APCD chooses data contractor, concerns remain

By Ellen Andrews | November 12, 2014 |

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…

Comparative effectiveness opportunity guide for New England OB-Gyn services

By Ellen Andrews | June 18, 2014 |

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…

Dense breast tissue screening consumer guide available

By Ellen Andrews | March 6, 2014 |

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,…

PRI report: Recommendations to lower Medicaid ED use

By Ellen Andrews | February 2, 2014 |

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…

Updated website and expanded reach for comparative effectiveness org – ICER

By Ellen Andrews | January 16, 2014 |

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.

APCD Roundtable – lessons for CT

By Ellen Andrews | October 25, 2013 |

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…