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Prescription drugs too costly? Changing Medicare health plans could save money

Kristian Stensland, M.D., M.S., M.P.H., assistant professor of urology, is leading a team of U-M Rogel Cancer Center and IHPI researchers who want to make people more broadly aware of Part D open enrollment and the free Medicare Plan Finder tool that makes comparing costs easier.

In a recent study that used the plan finder to evaluate the cost of two drugs commonly prescribed for prostate cancer, the team found that patients could potentially save $9,000 a year by comparing plans. Despite such significant cost differences, fewer than 30% of patients report comparing drug plan pricing.

This work was funded by the Rogel Cancer Center and the Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, through the Policy Sprints Program.

Spotlight on Alzheimer's & Dementia Research

Research by IHPI experts examines the health services landscape for people with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias:

New $81M NIH grant will help U.S. answer urgent need for better dementia care

A research team led by Donovan Maust, M.D., M.S., received a five-year, $81 million funding award to improve the understanding of the healthcare workforce that serves people with dementia and to produce data for clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and others to use. READ MORE

Characteristics of Emergency Department Visits Among Older Adults with Dementia 

A new brief from a Center to Accelerate Population Research in Alzheimer’s team led by Lauren Gerlach, D.O., M.Sc., finds that among over 20 million annual ED visits by U.S. older adults, 1.4 million were by patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. READ MORE

Dementia’s Financial & Family Impact: New Study Shows Outsize Toll

People diagnosed with dementia saw their out-of-pocket spending for health care more than double, and their net worth decline by more than 60%, within the first eight years of being diagnosed, a new study by HwaJung Choi, Ph.D., M.A., and colleagues finds. READ MORE

Minding Memory Podcast: People Living with Dementia and Exposure to Natural Disasters

Sue Anne Bell, Ph.D., FNP-BC, discusses her work examining how healthcare disruption due to a disaster can affect the population of older adults living with dementia. LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

Older adults' views on cancer screening guidelines

The majority of adults age 50−80 (62%) disagree that guidelines for stopping cancer-detecting tests, such as colonoscopies, should be based on life expectancy, according to new findings from the U-M National Poll on Healthy Aging.

Saint wins national VA Health Services Research award

Hawley recognized for leadership at Michigan Medicine

Ibrahim joins AcademyHealth Board of Directors

Mukherjee to lead U-M research data services strategy

IHPI/CHOP K and R Mock Study Sections

In collaboration with the Center for Healthcare Outcomes & Policy (CHOP), IHPI offers a Mock Study Section Program to provide feedback to IHPI members on their K-series or VA-equivalent career development award proposals and R01 proposals. Sessions simulate an actual NIH/AHRQ study section, with an IHPI member moderating and two to three members serving as mock reviewers. The 2023-2024 program runs August-May. Contact Stephanie Jared with questions.

NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Extramural Loan Repayment Program (LRP) application cycle is now open and will close on November 16, 2023. LRP awardees can receive up to $100,000 of qualified educational debt repayment with a two-year award.

IHPI Telehealth Research Networking Event

Thursday, November 9 | 3:00–4:30 p.m.

Location: North Campus Research Complex, Bldg 16, Rooms B001E & B003E

Connect with your fellow eHealth colleagues to learn about current research projects, data sources to study health information technology, and funding opportunities! IHPI and DOCTR (Data Office for Clinical and Translational Research) leadership, as well as individuals from government relations, policy engagement, and the IHPI Data & Methods Hub teams will be in attendance.

Inaugural U-M Implementation Science Network Kickoff Meeting

Wednesday, November 8 | 2:00–5:00 p.m.

Location: North Campus Research Complex, Bldg 10, South Atrium

This free event is intended for faculty, staff, and learners who are enthusiastic about D&I science, including knowledge translation, improvement science, and engagement science.

Featured keynote speaker:

Elvin H. Geng, M.D., M.P.H.

Director, Center for Dissemination and Implementation, Institute for Public Health

Opioid limits didn’t change surgery patients’ experience, study shows

A new study in JAMA Health Forum led by Kao-Ping Chua, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, showed that a five-day limit from Michigan’s largest insurance company didn’t lead to increases in patients’ pain levels or a decrease in satisfaction after common surgical procedures. Patient-reported pain levels and satisfaction didn’t change at all for Michigan adults who had their appendix or gallbladder removed, a hernia repaired, a hysterectomy, or other common operations after the insurer put the limit in place.

Aging in place: U-M study highlights racial disparities among older adults

Roughly 40% of older Black adults live with a disability, compared to only one-third of older adults overall. Disability is one of various disparities highlighted in a new study, led by Sheria Robinson-Lane, Ph.D., assistant professor of nursing, which used data from the U-M National Poll on Healthy Aging to examine the extent to which people aged 50 to 80 were prepared to age in place.