Elevance Health Public Policy Institute

Did you catch PPI at the 2024 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting? We had two podium presentations and three posters at the event. Congratulations to all our researchers who presented their work! To learn more about our research from the event, see below and stay tuned for our upcoming publications!

We're thrilled to announce that PPI is presenting at the Annual Research Meeting hosted by AcademyHealth in Baltimore, MD! #ARM24 serves as a collaborative platform for health researchers, policymakers, and providers to convene, share novel research findings, and explore diverse data sources. Our team will present our recent work on topics including: #MedicareAdvantage supplemental benefits, #maternalhealth outcomes from doula care, arbitration outcomes for out-of-network medical bills under the No Surprises Act, and the relationship between wildfire smoke exposure and childhood asthma. To learn more about the event ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gas4Qw38

#ICYMI Last week, we joined a SNP Alliance-sponsored briefing on Capitol Hill! PPI's own Jennifer Kowalski presented—along with Mike Cheek, Regan Hunt, Rob Burkhardt, Matt Kazan, and Jana Martin, MS, RDN, LD—on the wide range of supplemental benefits that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans offer to help members address their unique needs. Findings from our recent research were also highlighted, including: 💡 MA supplemental benefit use is associated with lower likelihood of expensive, and sometimes wasteful, non-emergent emergency department visits and inpatient admissions 💡 Supplemental benefit use is also associated with higher likelihood of preventative visits and screenings 💡 Results for dual eligible members were more favorable, underscoring the importance of supplemental benefits for those with greater needs Read our full study: https://bit.ly/4amA8FN

We're happy to share that PPI Health Economist Daniel Cullen will be presenting his research on the relationship between wildfire smoke exposure and childhood asthma at the 13th Annual Conference of the American Society of Health Economists (#ASHEcon) in San Diego, CA! His research found that wildfire smoke exposure is associated with an increase in asthma-related outpatient and emergency department utilization, as well as an increase in inhaler fills among children in California. His session will also feature presenters Jeffrey Romine and Corey White, sharing their environmental health research. Read their abstracts here ➡ https://lnkd.in/etgjaBNR

PPI is going to Capitol Hill! At this briefing, PPI Vice President Jennifer Kowalski will be presenting our newest research on #MedicareAdvantage supplemental benefits and their association with lower likelihood of hospital visits and higher likelihood of preventative care.   📅 Join us on Thursday, 6/13, 12:30-1:30 pm 📍 Location: Room 2219, Rayburn House Office Building   Read our full research here: https://bit.ly/4amA8FN For more details on the event, email samaya@snpalliance.org

#ICYMI Our paper, which presents early results from CarelonRx's partnership program with independent community pharmacies, was featured last week in a CPESN Networks blog post! Participating members from the program saw reductions in inpatient hospital and emergency department visits, among other healthcare services, and improved medication adherence. These results suggest that these value-based partnerships can be effective in improving member outcomes. Read CPESN blog post ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e_Ns9Mvh Read PPI paper ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Qvq2f8

Medicare Advantage (MA) supplemental benefits are a key component of the MA benefit package. Yet, despite their popularity, data on MA supplemental benefit use and its impact on health related outcomes is still limited. Our research looks to fill this gap, providing data on the association between supplemental benefits and healthcare utilization. It found that supplemental benefit use is associated with an increased likelihood of having a preventative screening or annual wellness visit. Supplemental benefit use is also associated with a decreased likelihood of having an inpatient admission or non-emergent emergency department visit, which can be some of the costliest, and potentially wasteful, forms of healthcare. Check out our full study ➡ https://bit.ly/4amA8FN

The prevalence of #OpioidUseDisorder – and of associated overdoses and negative outcomes – has risen nationally, with West Virginia outpacing the rest of the country. Our analysis looks at a care integration approach from an Elevance Health affiliated Medicaid plan, which saw a reduction in overdose by 33% in less than four years. Read more from our analysis ➡️ https://bit.ly/3yahsvz #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #OUD

We are pleased to publish new research demonstrating the positive effect that Medicare Advantage (MA) supplemental benefits have on healthcare utilization. The paper provides critical data on the value of including supplemental benefits as a part of the overall MA benefit package, and specifically highlights the impact on preventative screenings, inpatient admissions, outpatient visits, and non-emergent emergency department visits. Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4amA8FN

Opioid use disorder (OUD) can cause negative behavioral and physical health effects, including overdose, self-harm, infections, and heart disease. The prevalence of OUD is increasing nationally, with West Virginia outpacing the U.S. as a whole. Our newest paper looks at behavioral health outcomes of integrated care for individuals with OUD enrolled an Elevance Health affiliated Medicaid plan in West Virginia and explores how Medicaid managed care plans can support sustainable delivery of integrated care services that are tailored to the needs of individuals. Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3yahsvz