The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) released a report detailing disparities in the quality of care received by people enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA).

Office of Minority Health  In recognition of National Minority Health Month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) released a report detailing disparities in the quality of care received by people enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA). Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Disparities in Health Care in Medicare Advantage describes racial, ethnic, and gender differences in health care experiences and clinical care received nationally in 2015-2016. This report highlights racial and ethnic differences in health care experiences and clinical care, compares quality of care for women and men, and looks at racial and ethnic differences in quality of care among women and men separately. Key Findings include: On over 40% of the measures of clinical care examined, Asian and Pacific Islander (API) beneficiaries received better care than White beneficiaries. Gaps between Black and White MA beneficiaries were larger for men than for women in getting needed prescription drugs, rates of colorectal cancer screening, quality of diabetes care, and management of rheumatoid arthritis. Of the 35 measures of patient experience and clinical care examined, there were sizable differences favoring Whites over Hispanics on 15 of them. Healthcare professionals, organizations, researchers, and hospital leaders can utilize this report along with other CMS tools and resources to help raise awareness of health disparities, develop interventions for racially and ethnically diverse Medicare beneficiaries, and implement quality improvement efforts that improve health equity. This report is based on an analysis of two sources of information: the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) and the Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey. HEDIS collects information from medical records and administrative data on the technical quality of care that Medicare beneficiaries receive for a variety of medical issues, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic lung disease. The Medicare CAHPS survey is conducted annually by CMS and focuses on the health care experiences of Medicare beneficiaries across the nation. The CMS OMH welcomes your participation in promoting health observances such as National Minority Health Month throughout the year to raise awareness about health issues affecting people across our nation. Feel free to share this report and our resources on prevention and health equity initiatives.

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