“Health Implications of MTM Eligibility Criteria” is a project funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) from September 15, 2011 to June 30, 2015. Dr. Junling Wang is the Principal Investigator of this project. The National Institute on Aging has identified racial and ethnic disparities among Medicare beneficiaries as a funding priority. This research project assesses the impact of Federal policies on medication therapy management services for Medicare beneficiaries in terms of racial and ethnic disparities in health status, health services utilization and costs, medication utilization patterns, and the implications for disparities in therapeutic outcomes.
“Equity and Economic Effects of MTM Services” is a project funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) from February 15, 2019 to December 31, 2022. Dr. Junling Wang is the Principal Investigator of this project. Our long-term goal is to improve the health status of older adults in diverse populations by improving medication utilization and reducing racial/ethnic disparities in medication utilization and health outcomes. Our results will provide much-needed empirical evidence to guide policy-making by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and assist the National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health in its strategic goals of informing “policy decisions,” and “understand(ing) health disparities and develop(ing) strategies to improve the health status of older adults in diverse populations.”
“Reducing Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Alzheimer’s-Type Dementia with MTM Services” is a project funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) from August 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Dr. Junling Wang is the Principal Investigator of this project. Our long-term goal is to improve the health status of older adults among diverse populations by reducing racial/ethnic disparities in medication utilization and health outcomes. Our results will provide empirical evidence to guide CMS policy-making for MTM, improve Alzheimer’s Disease management, and assist the National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health in its strategic goals of “develop(ing) strategies to improve the health status of older adults in diverse populations.”
“Rectifying Disparities Associated with Risk Score-Based MTM Eligibility in Enhanced MTM” is a project funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) from August 15, 2023 to April 30, 2028. Dr. Junling Wang is the Principal Investigator of this project. This project explores strategies to identify and resolve disparities associated with risk score-based eligibility criteria for Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services in the Enhanced MTM program for Medicare. This project is highly relevant to public health because its long-term goal is to improve health outcomes among the diverse older adult population by reducing disparities in medication utilization. Further, since initiatives by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services usually spur national changes, our study can exert an impact beyond Medicare.
“Finding Equitable and Effective MTM Eligibility Criteria” is a project funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) from August 15, 2015 to August 31, 2018. Dr. Junling Wang is the Principal Investigator of this project. Medication therapy management (MTM) services are part of the outpatient prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2006 with a goal to “optimize therapeutic outcomes through improved medication use…” The goal of this project is address the disparities and inefficiencies of existing Medicare MTM eligibility criteria by finding equitable and effective Medicare MTM eligibility criteria. The National Institute on Aging identifies racial and ethnic disparities and medication utilization issues among Medicare beneficiaries as a funding priority.
“Finding Solutions for Disparities Associated with Star Ratings” is a project funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) from September 15, 2018 to June 30, 2023. Dr. Junling Wang is the Principal Investigator of this project. The goals of this project are to evaluate effects of Medicare Parts C & D Star Ratings (Star Ratings, hereafter) bonus payments on racial and ethnic disparities and ensure that Star Ratings include a set of measures that address the disparities in measure calculation. Our expected outcome is to produce comprehensive policy recommendations to resolve important disparity issues in Star Ratings among older adults in diverse populations. Our project will (1) provide the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services with information needed to align disparity reduction goals with rapidly-proliferating pay-for-performance and public-reporting initiatives; and (2) provide the National Institute on Aging with support to achieve its strategic goal of “understanding health disparities and develop strategies to improve the health status of older adults in diverse populations.”
“Resolving Racial/Ethnic Disparities Associated with Star Ratings among the ADRD Population” is a project funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) from June 15, 2022 to June 30, 2023. Dr. Junling Wang is the Principal Investigator of this project. The objective of the proposed study is to identify and resolve disparities in Medicare Parts C & D Star Ratings associated with medication utilization measures among Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). This project will identify and resolve disparities in health outcomes associated with Parts C & D Star Ratings among the ADRD population and stimulate studies on similar policies. It will also assist the National Institute on Aging in achieving its strategic goals of understanding and addressing racial/ethnic disparities among the ADRD population.