Dear John,

ICYMI, we released a Health Policy brief last week from Amy Sheon and Elaine Khoong exploring the linkages between digital inclusion and health equity.

Health Risk Assessments Drive Medicare Payments

Yesterday, we released a new issue issue with major topics focused on Medicare, COVID-19, and Access To Care.

Health risk assessments (HRAs) are tools that Medicare Advantage plans use to gauge beneficiaries’ health risk.

There is some concern, however, that escalating coding intensity might threaten payment integrity. 

Hannah James and coauthors assess the impact of HRAs on Hierarchal Condition Categories (HCC) risk scores among MA enrollees.

The researchers conclude that about 44 percent of MA beneficiaries had at least one HRA, and risk coding due to HRAs was associated with up to $12.3 billion spending annually.

More on Medicare Advantage

• Reducing Medicare Advantage Benchmarks Will Decrease Plan Generosity, But Those Effects Will Likely Be Modest by Michael E. Chernew et al.
• Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Enrollees Report Less Positive Experiences Than Their Medicare Advantage Counterparts by Marc N. Elliott et al.
• A Health Podyssey: Brian Powers on How Humana Understands Medicare Advantage Enrollees' Social Needs

Charles Stoecker on How Guaranteed Cash Incentives Boosted COVID-19 Vaccinations

Health Affairs' Editor-in-Chief Alan Weil interviews Charles Stoecker of Tulane University on his recent paper that explored how guaranteed cash incentives helped boost COVID-19 vaccinations among young adults in West Virginia.

The Role Of Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations In Maternal Health

Laura B. Attanasio and Kimberley H. Geissler

The Tobacco Endgame Begins

Howard K. Koh and Michael C. Fiore

Another Administration Win In Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Lawsuits

Sheela Ranganathan and Zachary Baron

Health Affairs is launching its second annual You’re A Health Policy Wonk If… contest!

The premise is simple. Finish the statement “You’re A Health Policy Wonk If…”

Besides honor, the first-place winner will receive a free online journal subscription for a year.

Submit by May 31.

Check out last year's submissions to get inspired before submitting your entry!