Harmonizing Cognitive Function Data for Medicare Beneficiaries
Author Information
Author(s): Zafar Anum, Kobylarz Fred, Zaritsky Rebecca, Kim Hyosin, Lopez Maria, Xia Weiyi, Lin Haiqun, Jarrín Olga
Primary Institution: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Conclusion
The study successfully harmonized cognitive function data for Medicare beneficiaries, allowing for better tracking of cognitive decline.
Supporting Evidence
- 19.4% of beneficiaries had no evidence of cognitive impairment at any point.
- 3.2% had mild cognitive impairment five years before death.
- 50.6% had severe cognitive impairment or dementia at the time of death.
Takeaway
This study looked at how to combine different health data to understand how people's thinking skills change as they get older.
Methodology
Data from healthcare claims and clinical assessments were harmonized to create a four-category variable for cognitive function.
Participant Demographics
Medicare beneficiaries who died in 2019, age 50 or older at death, with at least five years of continuous Medicare enrollment.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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