An analysis of Medicare accountable care organization expense reports.

Objectives: To understand the investments that Medicare Shared Savings Program accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the ACO Investment Model (AIM) made to participate in the program and the costs that they incurred as a result of their efforts to lower spending and improve quality.

Study Design: We conducted a systematic review and categorization of all available and approved quarterly expenses reported by AIM ACOs.

Methods: We reviewed final approved quarterly expense reports submitted by ACOs detailing how they spent funds in the quarter.

Economic and clinical benefits of early identification of acute kidney injury using a urinary biomarker.

To evaluate the budget impact of adding a diagnostic test of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 ([TIMP-2]·[IGFBP7]), which identifies patients at risk of moderate-to-severe acute kidney injury (AKI), to the current standard of care (SOC) in a hospital setting. A budget impact model (2017 USD) was developed from the perspective of a hypothetical US hospital system serving 10,000 inpatients annually. The model estimated the impact of assessing the risk of AKI using SOC vs a combination of SOC and the US Food and Drug Administration-approved assay [TIMP-2]·[IGFBP7] over a 1-year period.

The burden of non-infectious intraocular inflammatory eye diseases: a systematic literature review.

Objective: Non-infectious inflammatory eye diseases (IEDs), although rare, are complex and varied and may result in detrimental effects. A systematic literature review was conducted on the clinical outcome and economic burden of IED.

Methods: The Ovid search platform (Wolters Kluwer) was used to access scientific literature databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane libraries, Health Technology Assessment and the NHS Economic Evaluation database.

The Economic Burden of Abuse of Prescription Opioids: A Systematic Literature Review from 2012 to 2017.

Background: Abuse of prescription opioids [opioid use disorder (OUD), poisoning, and fatal and non-fatal overdose] is a public health and economic challenge that is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality in the USA and globally.

Objective: To systematically review and summarize the health economics literature published over the last 5 years that describes the economic burden of abuse of prescription opioids.

Methods: Findings from searches of databases including MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL as well as hand searches of multiple conference abstracts were screened against predefined inclusion criteria to identify studies reporting cost and healthcare resource utilization (HRU) data associated with abuse of prescription opioids.

Opioid Abuse: A Detailed Examination of Cost Drivers over a 24-Month Follow-up Period.

Background: Previous work has documented the considerable economic burden associated with opioid abuse, dependence, and overdose/poisoning (hereafter, "abuse"). Recent analyses have provided insights into the trajectory and drivers of the excess costs of abuse both before and after diagnosis, showing the important role of other substance abuse, mental health issues, and painful conditions.

Objective: To build on the recently published study by Kirson et al.

Long-term Systemic Corticosteroid Exposure: A Systematic Literature Review.

Purpose: While corticosteroids are relatively inexpensive and commonly used as treatment for a variety of conditions, long-term use is known to be associated with certain toxicities. Prior systematic reviews have revealed an increased risk for costly adverse events (AEs), including bone fracture, infection, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review of recent publications on the burden of long-term corticosteroid exposure, specifically, to summarize the AEs and economic impact of long-term corticosteroid use and to reveal data gaps for additional research.

Drivers of excess costs of opioid abuse among a commercially insured population.

Objectives: To replicate and extend a recently published analysis of the drivers of excess costs of opioid abuse.

Study Design: Retrospective data analysis using de-identified claims data from the Truven MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounter database.

Methods: Medical and prescription drug claims from beneficiaries covered by large self-insured US companies were used to select patients with incident diagnoses of opioid abuse between 2012 and 2015.

The Economic Burden of Opioid Abuse: Updated Findings.

Background: Opioid pain relievers can be highly effective in providing relief for patients suffering from pain. At the same time, prescription opioid abuse, dependence, overdose, and poisoning (hereinafter "abuse") have become a national public health concern. Opioid abuse is also costly: previous estimates of the annual excess costs of opioid abuse to payers range from approximately $10,000 to $20,000 per patient.

Did Medicare Part D reduce disparities?

Objectives: We assessed whether Medicare Part D reduced disparities in access to medication.

Study Design: Secondary data analysis of a 20% sample of Medicare beneficiaries, using Parts A and B medical claims from 2002 to 2008 and Part D drug claims from 2006 to 2008.

Methods: We analyzed the medication use of Hispanic, black, and white beneficiaries with diabetes before and after reaching the Part D coverage gap, and compared their use with that of race-specific reference groups not exposed to the loss in coverage.