Comprehensive Analysis of the Medicare Advantage Population

Using a representative population of MA beneficiaries extracted from Inovalon’s proprietary Medical Outcomes
Research for Effectiveness and Economics Registry for 2014–15, the Avalere Health team will undertake a
comprehensive descriptive analysis of cross‐sectional data on the MA population, including dual eligibles and other
individuals with costly health needs. The researchers will then examine various MA population subgroups by
applying the patient segmentation approach developed by Ashish Jha, M.D., and his team, with prior
Commonwealth Fund support, to the MA beneficiary data. In consultation with the Fund, Avalere will establish an
advisory council of independent experts to provide guidance on methods, data use, results, and products related
to this study.

By filling a longstanding gap in our knowledge of MA populations, including the high‐need high‐cost subset, this
project will allow health plans, providers, and policymakers to determine which interventions will likely be most
effective in improving the overall quality of care MA enrollees receive and lowering per beneficiary costs.