Dataset Information

Selection bias and utilization of the dual eligibles in Medicare and Medicaid HMOs.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine the existence of selection bias in the first 3 years of the Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) demonstration and to estimate the MSHO effects on medical services utilization after adjusting for selection bias.

Data sources

Monthly dual eligibility data and MSHO encounter data of March 1997-December 2000 and Medicaid encounter data of January 1995-December 2000 from the Minnesota Department of Human Services; Medicare fee-for-service claims data of January 1995-December 2000 from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Study design

Quasi-experimental design comparing utilization between MSHO and control groups; multiple econometric and statistical models were estimated with time-invariant and time-varying covariates.

Principal findings

Favorable MSHO selection was found in the nursing home (NH) and community populations, but selection bias did not substantially affect the findings. Enrollment in MSHO for more than 1 year reduced inpatient hospital admissions and days, emergency room and physician visits for NH residents, and lowered physician visits for community residents.

Conclusions

There was favorable selection in the first 3 years of the MSHO program. Enrollment in MSHO reduced several types of utilization for the NH group and physician visits for community enrollees.

SUBMITTER: Zhang H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2653890 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Selection bias and utilization of the dual eligibles in Medicare and Medicaid HMOs.

Zhang Hui H Kane Robert L RL Dowd Bryan B Feldman Roger R

Health services research 20080513 5 Pt 1

<h4>Objective</h4>To examine the existence of selection bias in the first 3 years of the Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) demonstration and to estimate the MSHO effects on medical services utilization after adjusting for selection bias.<h4>Data sources</h4>Monthly dual eligibility data and MSHO encounter data of March 1997-December 2000 and Medicaid encounter data of January 1995-December 2000 from the Minnesota Department of Human Services; Medicare fee-for-service claims data of January ...[more]

PMID: 18479403

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Project description:ImportanceMost dual-eligible Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries are enrolled in bifurcated insurance programs that pay for different components of care. Therefore, policymakers are prioritizing expansion of integrated care plans (ICPs) that manage both Medicare and Medicaid benefits and spending.ObjectiveTo review evidence of the association between ICPs and health care spending, quality, utilization, and patient outcomes among dual-eligible beneficiaries.Evidence reviewA search was conducted of PubMed/MEDLINE (January 1, 2010, through November 1, 2023) and Google Scholar (January 1, 2010, through October 1, 2023) and augmented with reports from US federal and state government websites. Three categories of ICPs were evaluated: Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMPs), and Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (FIDE-SNPs) and related models aligning Medicare and Medicaid coverage. The review included studies that evaluated beneficiaries dually eligible for and enrolled in full Medicaid; compared an ICP to a nonintegrated arrangement; and evaluated utilization, spending, care coordination, patient experience, or health for 100 or more beneficiaries.FindingsIn all, 26 ICP evaluations met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis: 5 of PACE, 13 of MMPs, and 8 of FIDE-SNPs and other aligned models. Evidence generally showed associated reductions in long-term nursing home stays in PACE (3 of 4 studies) and FIDE-SNPs and related aligned models (3 of 5 studies) but was mixed in evaluations of MMPs. Four of 9 studies of MMPs and 2 of 3 studies of FIDE-SNPs found higher outpatient use, although other studies showed no difference. Evidence on Medicaid spending was limited, whereas 8 of 10 studies of MMPs showed an association between these plans and higher Medicare spending. Evidence was mixed or inconclusive regarding care coordination and hospitalizations, and it was insufficient to evaluate patient satisfaction, health, and outcomes in beneficiary subgroups (eg, those with serious mental illness). Furthermore, studies had limited ability to control for bias from unmeasured differences between enrollees of ICPs compared with nonintegrated models.Conclusions and relevanceThis systematic review found variability and gaps in evidence regarding ICPs and spending, quality, utilization, and outcomes. Studies found some ICPs were associated with reductions in long-term nursing home admissions, and several identified increases in outpatient care. However, MMPs were primarily associated with higher Medicare spending. Evidence for other outcomes was limited or inconclusive. Research addressing these evidence gaps is needed to guide ongoing efforts to integrate coverage and care for dual-eligible beneficiaries.

Project description:ObjectiveTo provide the first plausibly causal national estimates of health outcomes for older dual-eligible recipients of Medicaid HCBS relative to nursing home care and to explore possible mechanisms for the effect.Data sourcesWe use 2005 and 2012 Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX), a national compilation of Medicaid claims, merged with Medicare claims to identify hospital admissions, our main outcome variable.Study designWe model the effects of HCBS using a longitudinal instrumental variables framework. To address the endogeneity of HCBS receipt, we instrument for it using the county percentage of nonelderly long-term care users who receive HCBS. The percentage of nonelderly users is highly predictive of HCBS use for an elderly beneficiary, but because the instrument was derived from a separate population, the exclusion restriction is unlikely to be violated.Population studied1,312,498 older adults (65+) dually enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare and are using long-term care. We also examine heterogeneity of effects by race/ethnicity and the presence of dementia.Principal findingsHCBS users have 10 percentage points higher (P < .01) annual rates of hospitalization than their nursing home counterparts when selection bias is addressed; rates of potentially avoidable hospitalizations are 3 percentage points higher (P < .01). These differences persist across races, dementia status, and intensity of HCBS spending.ConclusionsShifting Medicaid long-term care funding for older adults from nursing homes to HCBS, while well-motivated, results in the unintended consequence of substantially higher hospitalization rates for older dual eligibles. The quality and/or quantity of services may be inadequate for some HCBS recipients. Hospitalizations are costly to Medicare but also to the HCBS recipient in terms of stress and risks. Although consumer preferences to remain at home may outweigh poor outcomes of HCBS, the full costs and benefits need to be considered. HCBS outcomes-not just expansion-need more attention.

Dataset Information

Selection bias and utilization of the dual eligibles in Medicare and Medicaid HMOs.

Objective

Data sources

Study design

Principal findings

Conclusions

Publications

Selection bias and utilization of the dual eligibles in Medicare and Medicaid HMOs.

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