July 30, 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of Medicaid, and to commemorate that milestone the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI) released a timeline of important events co-created by health policy experts at UMass Medical School. MMPI is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
Our Work
White Paper
July 28, 2015
Community health workers (CHW) can improve health outcomes, reduce health disparities and contain costs, according to a brief authored by health policy experts at UMass Medical School and released by the Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health).
Journal Article
July 13, 2015
Researchers found that children with autism have high food selectivity and more mealtime behavior problems, and their parents experience higher levels of stress during mealtimes. Interventions to reduce food selectivity may lead to decreases in mealtime behavior problems.
Case Study
June 16, 2015
The Emergency Department Safety Assessment & Follow-up Evaluation (ED-SAFE) examines the feasibility and potential impact of screening emergency department patients for suicide risk as well as the effect of an emergency department-initiated intervention to reduce suicidal behavior and associated problems.
Poster
June 14, 2015
This poster explains a study that examines how states undergoing Medicaid expansion differ in their treatment of the “medically frail” population. The medically frail are individuals who may need the extra benefits offered by traditional Medicaid.
Presentation
June 13, 2015
A presentation about insurance coverage for health care services and supports for people with disabilities who work. “Wrap-around” coverage (or other policy) options may be a viable solution and support employment among people with disabilities.
Technical Report
June 01, 2015
The Vermont Agency on Administration contracted with UMass Medical School to conduct a survey of Vermont employers regarding the health benefits they provide to employees. Thee survey findings point to considerable variation in health insurance benefits offered, enrollment, and cost.
White Paper
May 01, 2015
The LTSS Policy Lab, a collaboration among the University of Massachusetts Medical School, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and the Office of Medicaid, is a resource to aid in program planning and fiscal forecasting, not just for the immediate budget cycle but also for the next five to 10 years and beyond.
Technical Report
April 30, 2015
This report analyze several factors that help explain why health care affordability continues to be a challenge in Massachusetts, even after achieving near universal health insurance coverage. Beginning with an analysis of data largely collected through the Massachusetts Health Reform Survey, the report provides an overview of the factors influencing health care affordability and summarizes the financial and access to care consequences for consumers struggling with health care costs.
Video
April 24, 2015
UMass Medical School researchers outline solutions to New Hampshire's rising health care spending based on a report, Health Care Payment Reform: Options and Recommendations, they co-authored with Compass Health Analytics of Portland, Maine. The public forum was hosted by the New Hampshire Insurance Department.
Technical Report
April 20, 2015
This report evaluates a variety of strategies, from short-term actions to comprehensive reforms, and issues recommendations New Hampshire can choose from to contain health care costs while maintaining access and quality.
Technical Report
April 07, 2015
This report examines the serious implications for Massachusetts if federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program is not extended.
White Paper
March 31, 2015
Growing a successful and sustainable partnership between a public university and a state’s Medicaid-financed health and human service agency is an enviable goal. This issue brief describes the challenges public universities and state Medicaid agencies face in creating partnerships, and discusses methods and recommendations to make it happen.
White Paper
March 30, 2015
This report details the behavioral health elements required in achieving recognition as a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Advancing Behavioral Health Integration Within NCQA Recognized Patient-Centered Medical Homes aims to support safety-net providers across the country by outlining the newest NCQA PCMH standards as they relate to integrating behavioral health into primary care.
Book
March 26, 2015
The 72-chapter Oxford Textbook of Correctional Psychiatry is the first comprehensive resource on criminal justice mental health issues. The book is a thorough overview of the field of correctional psychiatry that encompasses 14 broad content areas and includes a resource guide in correctional mental health care.
Technical Report
March 18, 2015
An analysis of proposed Medicaid changes in Connecticut was conducted by our health policy experts. Using research literature and the recent experience of other states, we estimated the number of persons who would be left uninsured if the proposal is implemented, and discussed effects on access to care for parents, pregnant women, and children.
Poster
March 15, 2015
The poster helps practices recognized as PCMH identify and manage the care of the highest-risk, complex and costly patients. Clinical care management has helped patient-centered medical homes reduce costs and hospital admissions and stays, while increasing patient satisfaction.
Poster
March 15, 2015
The poster describes the importance of integrating behavioral health care in PCMH, and cites national studies that estimate 30 percent of adults suffer from one or more mental health problems in a one-year period.
Technical Report
March 01, 2015
This report provides a brief snapshot of end of life care activity in Massachusetts, identifies related themes and trends in Massachusetts health care institutions, and conveys current concerns and priorities for improving end of life care in the Commonwealth.
Presentation
February 28, 2015
This presentation describes the possible benefits and risks associated with the concomitant use of opiate and benzodiazepine medications.
Presentation
February 27, 2015
This presentation provides an overview of the hepatitis C virus monitoring program implemented for state Medicaid to contain costs and to promote optimal member care. Key clinical and economic outcomes of the monitoring program are highlighted and formulary management strategies for novel hepatitis C virus agents identified.