IHPI 2023 Year in Review

Telehealth trends

Over the last three years, millions of Michiganders have become accustomed to connecting with their doctors, nurses, and therapists through a computer or phone, a report by an IHPI team shows. Now, 11-17% of all appointments to evaluate symptoms or discuss treatment take place virtually, up from <1% before the pandemic, according to a report commissioned by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. Telehealth has especially helped the 1 in 5 Michiganders who have mental health care needs — most notably those who live in counties that have few or no behavioral health care providers. It also reveals lags in telehealth’s use by those living in rural areas, especially in areas where fewer homes have broadband Internet access. Learn more about telehealth research at IHPI.

Key insights into Medicaid

Medicaid expansion reduced uninsurance, promoted primary care, supported financial wellbeing and strengthened the safety net for Michiganders with low incomes, according to a report produced as part of IHPI’s evaluation of the Healthy Michigan Plan, Michigan’s Medicaid expansion program. The report also identified opportunities for improvements and additional lessons that can inform efforts in other states that have expanded Medicaid recently or have not yet done so.

Understanding aging

While the number of older adults who said they feel lonely or isolated has declined to pre-pandemic levels, rates remain much higher for those with disabilities or poorer physical or mental health, according to a report from IHPI's National Poll on Healthy Aging. Other poll reports this year found that while most older adults age 50-80 see value in screening for Alzheimer’s, fewer have been tested themselves, and that more than one in eight older Americans report signs of addiction to highly processed food, with higher rates among women and those who report being in poor mental health. The Michigan Health Endowment Fund is supporting the development of a new Michigan-focused poll on healthy aging, which will officially launch in 2024.

New vaccines: Economic analysis

A team led by two IHPI members prepared full economic analyses of two vaccines that were reviewed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices during their deliberations about which groups should be recommended to receive updated COVID-19 vaccines and new vaccines to protect older adults against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. The team’s leaders presented their findings about these vaccines at the public meetings where ACIP made its recommendations, which set the standard for deciding which groups may receive vaccines at no cost to them.

Surgical opioid prescribing

With right-sizing of surgery-related opioid pain medication prescriptions still a hot topic for insurers, policymakers and providers, IHPI teams harnessed data from the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative to assess the impact of prescribing guidelines created by the Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network team based on past evidence, and limits imposed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. In groups of people covered by traditional Medicare and commercial insurance, the studies showed that patients can receive good pain control and be satisfied with their operation, while receiving fewer doses of opioids.