Investigating how Medicare Advantage plans affect access to care for seriously ill patients
Official title: The role of networks and serious illness in Medicare Advantage disenrollment
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11038110 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how Medicare Advantage plans affect access to healthcare for people with serious illnesses, focusing on the quality of nursing and cancer care available to them, so we can find ways to make these plans better for patients who need extra support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $55,322 |
| NIH project number | 1R36AG090851-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11038110 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Medicare beneficiaries with serious illnesses who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans or those with less severe health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines how Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, which are increasingly popular among Medicare beneficiaries, impact access to healthcare for patients with serious illnesses. The study will analyze the networks of skilled nursing facilities and oncology care available through these plans, focusing on the quality and breadth of services provided. By utilizing recent data, the research aims to identify potential barriers that may prevent patients from receiving necessary care within their plan's network. The findings could help inform improvements in the MA program to better serve vulnerable populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to enhanced access to high-quality healthcare services for patients with serious illnesses enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that access to care can be significantly affected by the structure of Medicare Advantage plans, suggesting that this investigation could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Achola, Emma Michelle — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Achola, Emma Michelle
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.