A new guide is helping state Medicaid agencies harness the power of data analysis to design policies and programs that better meet the health needs of the populations they serve. By using data effectively, agencies can target resources where they are most needed, evaluate the impact of policy changes, and demonstrate the value of these initiatives to stakeholders. Westat’s Dominick Esposito, PhD, was among the coauthors of From Data to Decisions: Best Practices for Using Data Analysis to Inform Medicaid Policies and Programs.
Developed by the Center for Health Care Strategies with support from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, the guide draws on lessons learned from the Continuous Glucose Monitor Access Accelerator, a national effort to expand access to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) within Medicaid. While rooted in efforts to improve care for people with diabetes, the strategies outlined are broadly applicable to any Medicaid program seeking to use data to improve services and promote and enhance outcomes for millions of members nationwide.