This study examines the value of state Medicaid program spending by exploring the relationship between both sides of the efficiency coin—costs and outcomes. The authors create measures that relate spending per beneficiary to quality indicators, compare states’ performance, and...

Notes that, in the first year of implementation of a new mental health parity law in California, benefits for mental health services expanded with no apparent effects on the purchase of health insurance. Stakeholders interviewed for the study reported that premiums did not increase substantially...

Summarizes the results of a three-year project funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to monitor and evaluate the performance of the Medicare+Choice program in 69 markets across the country. Notes that participation by managed care organizations declined dramatically across the board...

This study looks at the first two to three years of parity for mental health and substance abuse benefits in Vermont and concludes that parity was achieved in the state. Increased use of managed care helped make parity affordable but may have reduced access and utilization for some services and...

This white paper describes how current financial incentives in the fee-for-service (FFS) system can lead to the over- and underuse of services at the point of care by physicians and other clinicians. It explores prominent payment reform models and concludes that no single approach consistently...

This brief describes the importance of different care coordination activities in improving patient outcomes. It also explores ways that the patient-centered medical home and accountable care organizations can coordinate care.

The 147 has devoted substantial resources to promoting public reporting on the quality of California hospitals, physician groups, and nursing homes. Mathematica conducted an evaluation of the foundation's work from 1998 through 2005, identifying lessons from its experience in fostering quality...

This issue brief evaluates the effects of a permanent 10 percent increase in Medicare fees for primary care ambulatory visits on Medicare costs. Using a simulation model with real-world parameters, the study found that, in spite of raising the overall cost of primary care visits, such a fee...

In 2007, the state of Minnesota considered establishing a Health Insurance Exchange to serve small groups and individuals, facilitating access to coverage, choice among insurance products, portability of coverage, and affordability. Mathematica studied the coverage, cost, and fiscal impacts of a...