Studies from University of Pittsburgh Update Current Data on Managed Care [Design, Implementation, and Evolution of the Medicaid Outcomes Distributed Research Network (Modrn)]: Managed Care

2023 MAY 23 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Investigators publish new report on Managed Care. According to news reporting originating from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “In the US, Medicaid covers over 80 million Americans. Comparing access, quality, and costs across Medicaid programs can provide policymakers with much-needed information.”

Funders for this research include NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Maine Department of Health, Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance, Department of Veterans Affairs’ Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation.

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research from the University of Pittsburgh, “As each Medicaid agency collects its member data, multiple barriers prevent sharing Medicaid data between states. To address this gap, the Medicaid Outcomes Distributed Research Network (MODRN) developed a research network of states to conduct rapid multi-state analyses without sharing individual- level data across states. To describe goals, design, implementation, and evolution of MODRN to inform other research networks. MODRN implemented a distributed research network using a common data model, with each state analyzing its own data; developed standardized measure specifications and statistical software code to conduct analyses; and disseminated findings to state and federal Medicaid policymakers. Based on feedback on Medicaid agency priorities, MODRN first sought to inform Medicaid policy to improve opioid use disorder treatment, particularly medication treatment. Since its 2017 inception, MODRN created 21 opioid use disorder quality measures in 13 states. MODRN modified its common data model over time to include additional elements. Initial barriers included harmonizing utilization data from Medicaid billing codes across states and adapting statistical methods to combine statelevel results. The network demonstrated its utility and addressed barriers to conducting multi-state analyses of Medicaid administrative data. MODRN created a new, scalable, successful model for conducting policy research while complying with federal and state regulations to protect beneficiary health information.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Platforms like MODRN may prove useful for emerging health challenges to facilitate evidence-based policymaking in Medicaid programs.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: Design, Implementation, and Evolution of the Medicaid Outcomes Distributed Research Network (Modrn). Medical Care, 2022;60(9):680-690. Medical Care can be contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Sq, 2001 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA. (Lippincott Williams and Wilkins - www.lww.com; Medical Care - http://journals.lww.com/lww-medicalcare/pages/default.aspx)

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Julie M. Donohue, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States. Additional authors for this research include Kara Zivin, Lindsay Allen, Andrew J. Barnes, Stefanie Junker, Joo Yeon Kim, Lu Tang, Evan Cole, Marian Jarlenski, Susan Kennedy, Katherine A. Ahrens, Marguerite Burns, Sarah Clark, Dushka Crane, David Idala, Shamis Mohamoud, Paul Lanier, Mary Joan McDuffie, Jeffery Talbert and Adam J. Gordon.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1097/mlr.0000000000001751. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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