(301) 657-9883 info@econometricainc.com
AHRQ’s MEPS-HC Health Policy Booklet Abstraction Tool Wins Prestige

AHRQ’s MEPS-HC Health Policy Booklet Abstraction Tool Wins Prestige

by | May 28, 2021 | Press Release

FedHealthITBETHESDA, MD – An Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) project on which Econometrica played a key role won an award for developing “an efficient data abstraction tool and the support of well-trained, highly skilled abstractors.”

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) Health Policy Booklet Abstraction project, on which Econometrica served as a subcontractor to SoftDev, won recognition in the 7th Annual FedHealthIT Innovation Awards. The awards recognize and honor innovation and results in the Federal health technology and consulting community that benefits the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Military Health System, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The MEPS-HC project involved the creation of an abstraction tool for use in extracting cost-sharing data elements from Summaries of Benefits and Coverage and other health insurance policy documents for private, Medicare, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage plans. Econometrica was responsible for training, implementing, and ensuring the quality of the data abstraction process using the abstraction tool developed by the team. The abstracted data will be compiled into a public-use database with individual-level cost-sharing data that links to the MEPS-HC data for use in research and consumption by a variety of stakeholders as well as the public.

“This represents the development of an efficient data abstraction tool and the support of well-trained, highly skilled abstractors to produce a robust, accurate and actionable data source for AHRQ’s use,” according to FedHealthIT.

The tool “modernized AHRQ’s available toolset by harnessing cognitive services in a way not previously used.” FedHealthIT also noted that “the solution strikes a smart balance between automation and human intelligence to best interpret artifacts, empowering AHRQ to leap forward after a twenty year wait for the critical information locked within the [health policy booklet] documents.”

AHRQ and the project and MEPS team will be recognized at a virtual ceremony June 22 and 23, 2021. Award winners were nominated and selected by a panel that included current and former Federal health leaders across Government and industry. More about the awards and other winners can be found at https://www.fedhealthit.com/2021/05/2021-fedhealthit-innovation-award-winners-announced/.

About Econometrica

Founded in 1998, Econometrica is a research and management organization in Bethesda, MD, established to provide public- and private-sector clients with customized program support services. Econometrica works with multiple agencies to provide high-quality, cost-effective analyses, modeling, and economic evaluations. The company consistently receives exceptional scores from its clients and believes in three principles: technical capabilities, happy customers, and business development.

LATEST NEWS

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) Health Policy Booklet Abstraction project, on which Econometrica served as a subcontractor to SoftDev, won recognition in the 7th Annual FedHealthIT Innovation Awards.

Census Announces Results of 2020 Census, Population Counts for Apportionment

Census Announces Results of 2020 Census, Population Counts for Apportionment

by | Apr 26, 2021 | Press Release

The U.S. Census announced on April 26 that the 2020 census shows the population of the United States is 331,449,281. This represents growth of 7.4 percent from the 2010 census. This also represents the second slowest population growth rate in U.S. history.

“The American public deserves a big thank you for its overwhelming response to the 2020 Census,” Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement. “Despite many challenges, our nation completed a census for the 24th time. This act is fundamental to our democracy and a declaration of our growth and resilience. I also want to thank the team at the U.S. Census Bureau, who overcame unprecedented challenges to collect and produce high-quality data that will inform decision-making for years to come.”

The population grew the fastest over the last decade in the South (10.2 percent) and in the West (9.2 percent). The Northeast and Midwest saw slower growth (4.1 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively). On average, each member of the House will represent 761,169 residents.

Map showing the percent change in resident population for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, from 2010 to 2020

Map showing the percent change in resident population for the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, from 2010 to 2020. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/apportionment/apportionment-2020-map03.png.

The data release also included the State population counts used to apportion the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The 2022 election will be the first to use this new data. In total, seven seats will shift:

  • Six States will gain House seats; Texas gained two seats, while Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, and Oregon each gained one seat.
  • Seven states—California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia—each will lose one seat.

Apportionment, which takes place every 10 years, is the process of distributing the 435 seats in the House among the 50 States. The results of the 2020 census are used to draw congressional and State legislative districts. The apportionment population excludes the population of the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, which do not have voting members in the House.

Map showing apportionment of the U.S. House of Representatives Based on the 2020 Census

Map showing apportionment of the U.S. House of Representatives based on the 2020 census. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/apportionment/apportionment-2020-map01.png.

Local to Econometrica:

  • Maryland’s population was 6,177,224, up from 5,773,552 in 2010.
  • Virginia’s population rose to 8,631,393 from 8,001,024 in 2010.
  • The District of Columbia was 689,545, up from 601,723 in 2010.

For more information about the 2020 census data and apportionment, visit the Census Bureau’s 2020 Census Apportionment Results press kit.

Related Links:

LATEST NEWS

The population grew the fastest over the last decade in the South (10.2 percent) and in the West (9.2 percent). The Northeast and Midwest saw slower growth (4.1 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively).

Econometrica’s Statement Following Conviction of Derek Chauvin

Econometrica’s Statement Following Conviction of Derek Chauvin

by | Apr 21, 2021 | Press Release

GeorgeFloydBETHESDA, MD – The past year has been difficult for many reasons, not least because the Nation has witnessed many traumatizing instances of police brutality against Black Americans. The trial and conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd is but a small step toward bringing accountability to and eliminating systemic racism from our justice system. The trial may be over, but the conversation about structural racism and inequity must not end here.

Econometrica continues, and will always, actively stand with the Black community, our colleagues, their families, and clients in the fight against racism, injustice, and inequality. We will continue to strive to create and maintain a diverse and welcoming workplace, something that is pivotal to our high-quality work, mission, and success. Our colleagues deserve it, and our clients and partners expect it. We must not lose sight of these issues, today or in the future; we must instead work to make a positive impact on the world.

LATEST NEWS

Econometrica continues, and will always, actively stand with the Black community, our colleagues, their families, and clients in the fight against racism, injustice, and inequality.

Econometrica Explores ESRD Treatments From the Patient Perspective

Econometrica Explores ESRD Treatments From the Patient Perspective

by | Apr 8, 2021 | Press Release

Econometrica released a new issue brief exploring treatment options for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and their problems from the patient perspective. In partnership with LMI and the American Association of Kidney Patients, the ESRD Brief: Patient Perspectives discusses dialysis treatments and kidney transplantation and highlights the implications for patients of the ESRD Treatment Choices (ETC) Model. The ETC Model, rolled out by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, aims to encourage greater use of home dialysis and kidney transplants for Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD.

LATEST NEWS
ESRD Patient Perspectives v4 5 pdf

ESRD Brief: Patient Perspectives

The Problem From the Patient Perspective

Econometrica Partners With Indiana University to Examine the Impact of Changes in the Automotive Industry

Econometrica Partners With Indiana University to Examine the Impact of Changes in the Automotive Industry

by | Mar 1, 2021 | Press Release

Virtual Meeting 2BETHESDA, MD – Indiana University selected Econometrica to design and conduct focus groups to better understand how individuals and communities in the Midwest’s Industrial Heartland are being impacted by the automotive industry’s transition from gas to electric automobiles.

The focus groups are part of the Industrial Heartland Project, a subset of the Roosevelt Project, which aims to establish a path toward a low-carbon U.S. economy that is the least disruptive or punitive for workers and communities. The Industrial Heartland Project goals are to better understand the impact of the change in automotive manufacturing has had on communities and the ways that communities are adapting. The final outcome of the project is a set of recommendations for how to improve the impacts of the transition for individuals and communities, especially those who are at greatest risk to be harmed by the transition.

Econometrica will support Indiana University and the Industrial Heartland Project by providing expertise in qualitative research. Members of Econometrica’s Health Group will recruit for and conduct up to 30 focus groups with automotive workers, plant executives, and community leaders in 6 cities across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, where automotive manufacturing is a large portion of the economy. The focus groups will give participants a voice on the positive and negative impacts of past transitions and perceived future transitions.

“The energy transition is an important aspect of the current and future U.S. economy. Econometrica is grateful to conduct research that will lead to strategies to improve the impacts of the transition,” Econometrica President/CEO Cyrus Baghelai said.

Econometrica has previously developed and conducted qualitative and mixed-methods evaluations for numerous public and private-sector clients, such as The Brookings Institution, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Association of County and City Health Officials, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

About Econometrica

Founded in 1998, Econometrica is a research and management organization in Bethesda, MD, established to provide public- and private-sector clients with customized program support services. Econometrica works with multiple agencies to provide high-quality, cost-effective analyses, modeling, and economic evaluations. The company consistently receives exceptional scores from its clients and believes in three principles: technical capabilities, happy customers, and business development.

LATEST NEWS

Econometrica will support Indiana University and the Industrial Heartland Project by providing expertise in qualitative research.

Econometrica to Develop E-Learning Courses Aimed at Global Tobacco Control Topics

Econometrica to Develop E-Learning Courses Aimed at Global Tobacco Control Topics

by | Feb 9, 2021 | Press Release

TabaccoUseBETHESDA, MD – The CDC Foundation awarded Econometrica a contract to create e-learning courses focused around a variety of global tobacco control topics. This new partnership will strengthen country-level capacity in using data to inform policies on global tobacco prevention and control.

The CDC Foundation is the go-to nonprofit authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) critical health protection mission. The new courses will build on the CDC Foundation’s 13 years of work in global tobacco and nicotine surveillance and monitoring. According to the World Health Organization, tobacco use is the leading cause of death, illness, and impoverishment and kills more than 8 million people annually worldwide.

“This is a great opportunity for Econometrica to work with the CDC Foundation on this important international effort to curb tobacco use,” Econometrica President/CEO Cyrus Baghelai said. “We are excited to have our ever-expanding Learning Solutions Team help reduce the number of people and the severity of impact for this worldwide challenge through our analytics, solutions design, quality service and attention to detail.”

“We look forward to working with Econometrica, drawing on their technical and subject matter expertise, instructional design experience, and creative thinking as we collaborate to produce meaningful and interactive adult learning experiences to drive evidence-based tobacco control policies and programs,” said Rachna Chandora, the CDC Foundation’s Associate Vice President for Noninfectious Disease Programs.

Econometrica’s Learning Solutions Team, part of the Health Group, implements a flexible approach to developing learning solutions based on audience size and geographic distribution as well as training objectives and content. The team works to maximize the benefit of investments in training by ensuring that content is deployed in the most effective modality and can achieve the maximum usage possible.

Econometrica has previously created trainings, factsheets, and toolkits for various Federal agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CDC, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

About the CDC Foundation

The CDC Foundation is an independent nonprofit and sole entity created by Congress to support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) critical health protection work. The CDC Foundation forges effective partnerships between CDC and corporations, foundations, organizations, and individuals to fight threats to health and safety. Learn more at www.cdcfoundation.org.

About Econometrica

Founded in 1998, Econometrica is a research and management organization in Bethesda, MD, established to provide public- and private-sector clients with customized program support services. Econometrica works with multiple agencies to provide high-quality, cost-effective analyses, modeling, and economic evaluations. The company consistently receives exceptional scores from its clients and believes in three principles: technical capabilities, happy customers, and business development.

LATEST NEWS

Econometrica has previously created trainings, factsheets, and toolkits for various Federal agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CDC, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.