A KFF issue brief released this week outlines income, assets, and other financial data points of Medicare beneficiaries. The issue brief, “Income and Assets of Medicare Beneficiaries in 2023,” breaks down beneficiary income and assets data down by … [Read more...] about New Report Breaks Down Medicare Beneficiaries by Income & Assets
disparities
Report – Disparities Abound in Medicare Advantage
A recent KFF report, “Disparities in Health Measures By Race and Ethnicity Among Beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage: A Review of the Literature,” examines differences in measures of quality of care and beneficiary experience between people of color … [Read more...] about Report – Disparities Abound in Medicare Advantage
Center Comments on Proposed Rule to Discourage Discrimination in Federal Programs
The Center for Medicare Advocacy submitted comments this week in response on a proposed rule updating Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in order to protect against discrimination on the basis of disability in HHS-funded programs. The … [Read more...] about Center Comments on Proposed Rule to Discourage Discrimination in Federal Programs
Report: Medicare Satisfaction is High, But those Under 65 Have More Difficulties
A recent KFF report, “Overall Satisfaction with Medicare is High, But Beneficiaries Under Age 65 With Disabilities Experience More Insurance Problems Than Older Beneficiaries,” found that Medicare beneficiaries are overwhelmingly satisfied with the … [Read more...] about Report: Medicare Satisfaction is High, But those Under 65 Have More Difficulties
Disparities in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
A recent Health Affairs article, “Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Buprenorphine Receipt Among Medicare Beneficiaries, 2015–19”, discussed a study that found racial and ethnic disparities in buprenorphine use, a highly effective treatment for Opioid … [Read more...] about Disparities in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Health Affairs Article Proposes Roadmap for Dismantling Race-Based Medicine
A recent Health Affairs piece, Promoting Equity In Clinical Decision Making: Dismantling Race-Based Medicine, examined racial biases in algorithms used in clinical decision-making. The article notes that this topic is of increasing importance as the … [Read more...] about Health Affairs Article Proposes Roadmap for Dismantling Race-Based Medicine
Equity Impacts of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Cost-Sharing
A new study published in Health Affairs shows that cost-sharing parity for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (MHSUD) was associated with an increased receipt of outpatient MHSUD treatment among white beneficiaries but increased less among … [Read more...] about Equity Impacts of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Cost-Sharing
Study Shows Increased Willingness to Use Telehealth Amongst Previously Resistant Populations
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, use of telehealth in the U.S. was relatively minimal.[1] The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) issued waivers to expand access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries in March 2020. In addition to access … [Read more...] about Study Shows Increased Willingness to Use Telehealth Amongst Previously Resistant Populations
An Exploration of the Pandemic’s Full Impact on Racial and Ethnic Minorities from March to December 2020
The United States is on track to hit a grim COVID-19 milestone. Soon, over one million people will have lost their lives to the pandemic.[1],[2] While daily death rates have fallen, the average number of daily cases is back on the rise – increasing … [Read more...] about An Exploration of the Pandemic’s Full Impact on Racial and Ethnic Minorities from March to December 2020
Nearly Twice as Many Black COVID-19 Patients Categorized as Lowest Priority Group for Scarce Resources as Use of Crisis Standards of Care was Considered
At various times during the COVID-19 pandemic, including surges produced by the Delta and Omicron variants, hospitals around the nation experienced tremendous strain, creating a shortage of beds[1] and other resources such as staffing and medical … [Read more...] about Nearly Twice as Many Black COVID-19 Patients Categorized as Lowest Priority Group for Scarce Resources as Use of Crisis Standards of Care was Considered