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The Long COVID Dilemma

The Long COVID Dilemma

by | Jul 18, 2023 | Econometrica Blog

The Long COVID Dilemma

SARS-CoV-2 Infection (COVID-19)

In 2022, SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) was listed as an underlying or contributing cause of 244,986 (61.3 per 100,000) deaths in the United States.1Beyond the acute-phase severity of the disease, we have learned that symptoms can linger or recur over months or years, resulting in ongoing disability: the Kaiser Family Foundation reports that the “percentage of people who have had COVID and currently report long COVID symptoms declined from 19% in June 2022 to 11% in January 2023. Despite the decline, the rate of long COVID among people who have had COVID remains high.”2 For some groups, the numbers are even higher.3

Whole-Person Care with an Equity Focus

The long COVID journey can be protracted and especially difficult for persons with fewer healthcare resources. Important whole-person supports include non-medical factors such as access to transportation to get to healthcare appointments, as well as access to nutritious food, a safe home environment, educational opportunities, and financial resources. These can all impact health and well-being during the recovery period.

Trauma-Informed Care

Families and caregivers were traumatized as well. Implementing the principles of trauma-informed care: safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness and empowerment,4 can be reassuring to patients and caregivers living in fear of reinfection or relapse. The experience of contracting the virus was terrifying for many, whether or not the disease led to hospitalization. And for those who suffered long hospitalizations with respirator care, contracting COVID-19 was an especially traumatic event.

At Econometrica, our experts work extensively with Federal agencies, subject matter experts, and stakeholders to shape services that are inclusive for all persons’ healthcare needs. We understand that chronic disorders can carry a heavy burden for underserved communities, and we coordinate with agencies and funders to look for ways to support persons with elevated needs.

Resources

1 Ahmad FB, Cisewski JA, Xu J, Anderson RN. COVID-19 Mortality Update — United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:493–496. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7218a4 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7218a4.htm

2 Kaiser Family Foundation. Long Covid: What do the latest data show? January 26, 2023. https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/long-covid-what-do-latest-datashow/#:~:text=As%20of%20January%2016%2C%202023%2C%2015%25%20of%20all%20adults,are%20no%20longer%20reporting%20symptoms.

3 Goldie PD, Chatterjee I. Examining the elevated risk of COVID-19 in transgender communities with an intersectional lens. SN Soc Sci. 2021;1(10):249. doi: 10.1007/s43545-021-00255-x. Epub 2021 Oct 6. PMID: 34693307; PMCID: PMC8492083. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8492083/

4 University of Buffalo, Buffalo Center for Social Research. What is Trauma-Informed Care? https://socialwork.buffalo.edu/social-research/institutes-centers/institute-on-trauma-and-trauma-informed-care/what-is-trauma-informedcare.html#:~:text=The%20Five%20Guiding%20Principles%20are,to%20providing%20Trauma%2DInformed%20Care

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Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) Model

Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) Model

by | Oct 20, 2022 | Press Release

Launched on October 1, 2018, the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) Advanced Model tests whether the linking of payment for a clinical episode may improve care quality while reducing Medicare price.

This month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a 2-year extension of the program, including a new opportunity for applications. Early in 2023, CMS plans to announce a request for application (RFA) to those eligible to participate in the extended years (2024–2025). For those participating in Model Year 6 and those who previously participated but are no longer active, there will be opportunity to apply for Model Year 7 (2024).

Other changes will be made to improve pricing methodology and encourage engagement among providers and suppliers, including:

  • The CMS discount for medical clinical episodes will be reduced from 3% to 2%.
  • The Peer Group Trend Factor Adjustment cap for all clinical episodes will be reduced from 10% to 5%.
  • Major joint replacement of the upper extremity (MJRUE) will be made a multi-setting clinical episode similar to the major joint replacement for the lower extremity (MJRLE) clinical episode.
  • Clinical episodes where beneficiaries are diagnosed with COVID-19 will no longer be excluded from the model.

As CMS continues to strive for better integration of primary and specialty care and cater to an increasingly complex population of beneficiaries, Econometrica is excited to continue our work supporting BPCI Advanced participants in understanding the model’s quality measure submission requirements and their performance in the model. To achieve equitable outcomes, integrated and coordinated care for beneficiaries is essential, and having a health system that is accountable, high-quality, affordable, and person-centered can help achieve that goal.

Please visit the following sites for detailed information on this topic:

Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network Summit on Nov. 9 and 10
Detailed Review for Model Extension and Changes for Model Year 6
Complete Fact Sheet for BPCI Advanced Model
More Detailed Information on BPCI Advanced

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Housing Impacts on Maternal Health

Housing Impacts on Maternal Health

by | Jul 21, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

National Mental Health Awareness Month July
Housing plays a significant role in infant and maternal health outcomes. From poor housing conditions that lead to negative environmental exposures, to neighborhood conditions that can be unsafe and lead to stress and unhealthy environments, to even the affordability and instability challenges in trying to stay housed and avoid homelessness, housing plays a significant role in the wellbeing of infants and birthing individuals.

To learn more, visit the following resource:

Work With Us, Work for Us

Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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Housing Impacts on Maternal Health

Housing Instability Has an Inverse Relationship with Mental Illness

by | Jul 8, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

National Mental Health Awareness Month July

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year, Econometrica is highlighting the intersection between minority mental health and housing stability.

Housing Insecurities

Studies have shown that while housing security contributes to better health and economic stability, housing insecurity is often associated with increased stress and anxiety, exposure to environmental hazards, and lack of access to food and other resources. As a result, housing insecurity has been found to increase a person’s risk for many mental health issues, including depression, suicide, and behavioral issues.

There are also significant racial disparities in housing insecurity, with Black, Hispanic, and other minority households more likely to be housing insecure than White households. Many of the States with the highest rates of housing insecurity—including Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and New York—have large minority populations. These disparities have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which housing insecurity has risen more dramatically for minority renters than their White counterparts.

These disparities in housing insecurity likely contribute to disparities in mental health outcomes, as housing insecurity intensifies mental ailments among those who are most impacted. Econometrica welcomes any opportunity to assist HUD and other organizations that are supporting minority mental health through secure housing options.

To learn more, visit the following resources:

Work With Us, Work for Us

Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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CDC Provides Guidance on Talking With Parents About COVID-19 Vaccination

by | Feb 9, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

VaccineShotPeopleAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges everyone ages 5 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible. More than 543 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been given in the United States through February 7, 2022, according to CDC.

Despite the safety of the vaccines, misinformation remains a problem nationwide. CDC provides recommendations for providers on how to answer questions from parents and caregivers about COVID-19 vaccines. Providers remain the most trusted source of information about vaccines.

Work With Us, Work for Us

Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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