Press Release - Econometrica, Inc.

Econometrica Wins Option Year 2 of USDA Foods Trend Analysis Project

by Econometrica, Inc. | Oct 19, 2018 | 2018, Press Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), has awarded the Econometrica Team a second option year on the USDA Foods Trend Analysis project that will run through September 2019. This study examines the types and amounts of food ordered through USDA Foods and USDA U.S. Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (USDA DoD Fresh) under the National School Lunch Program.

During the first option year, the Econometrica Team conducted comprehensive descriptive analyses of the types of products ordered and order patterns through USDA Foods and USDA DoD Fresh at the national and State levels for school years (SYs) 2014–2015, 2015–2016, and 2016–2017. This work involved cleaning and assembling program administrative data, conducting analysis using SAS and Tableau, and producing a report on the findings. We developed infographics on ordering patterns for FNS program marketing and information dissemination purposes. In addition, the team developed an interactive Tableau-based dashboard for FNS and States to use in program monitoring. The dashboard contains detailed information on multiple data points that we analyzed over the course of this contract.

In the second option year, the project is expanding to include two additional years of order data (SYs 2013–2014 and 2017–2018). The project includes new analysis of USDA Foods processor inventory levels over the course of the school year to inform FNS about patterns in processor compliance with program inventory limits. We will also develop new infographics and update the Tableau dashboard with the new data. Congratulations to all on the win!

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.

Econometrica to Provide Research, Analytics, and Data Preparation Services to Support the Open Payments Program

by Econometrica, Inc. | Oct 17, 2018 | Press Release

Doctor ipad Econometrica, Inc., was recently awarded a contract by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide research, analytics, and data preparation services to support the Open Payments program.

Under this contract, Econometrica and its partner, Acumen, LLC, will prepare standing analytics and data products, analyze program compliance, and carry out ad hoc analyses and special studies as they arise.

To increase transparency, the Affordable Care Act mandated the Open Payments program to provide the public with information regarding the financial relationships between the healthcare industry—pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers and distributors—and healthcare providers—physicians and teaching hospitals.

Open Payments requires applicable manufacturers and Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) to annually report payments and other transfers of value made to physicians and teaching hospitals. Certain information regarding the ownership or investment interests held by physicians or their immediate family members in applicable manufacturers and GPOs must also be reported. The Open Payments mandate requires CMS to compile the submitted data, check them for accuracy, and publish the data on a public website.

Increasing transparency helps improve the public’s trust in healthcare. Econometrica worked on many projects in the past with CMS, including the Development, Implementation, and Maintenance of Quality Measures for the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly project and the Evaluation and Monitoring of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Model 1 Initiative. Econometrica is proud to continue working to impact the quality of care.

“Our experts in data and analytics look forward to using their skills to support the Open Payments program, serving CMS and the public,” said Cyrus Baghelai, Econometrica’s President and CEO. “In the next few years, this program will likely expand exponentially. Econometrica looks forward to supporting CMS through this transition and to providing the public with more information about how healthcare providers are being compensated by the healthcare industry.”

About Econometrica: