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TRILLIANT HEALTH RESEARCH
Research
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One in Four Cancer Patients Had an Emergency Department Visit with a Nonspecific Finding Prior to Diagnosis, and Nearly 1/3 Waited More Than 180 Days for Confirmation
Read the StudyFebruary 12, 2026
In the Same Market, Medicare Episodes of Care Can Range Up to 80x
Surgical volume for mandatory TEAM surgical procedures varies widely (one to 3,300 eligible Medicare procedures per hospital), while 30-day Medicare episode costs can differ up to 80x within the same market (e.g., $1,829 to $146,069 for a spinal fusion). These cost disparities exist despite minimal variation in quality. Even hospitals with strong occupancy and margins can exhibit inefficient downstream care. Consequently, TEAM reimbursement outcomes will be driven largely by cost management rather than quality differentiation.
Katie Patton • David Taylor • Austin Miller • Allison Oakes, Ph.D.
StudiesFebruary 05, 2026
While Quality Is Relatively Comparable Across TEAM Hospitals, Financial Health Is Highly Variable
An analysis of 724 hospitals in CMS’s mandatory TEAM model, examining operating margins, readmissions, payer mix and more.
Katie Patton • David Taylor • Allison Oakes, Ph.D.
StudiesJanuary 29, 2026
More Americans Are Dying at Home but Hospital-Based Deaths Remain Most Common
Place of death in the U.S. is shifting: hospitals remain most common (34.6% in 2024), while deaths at home rose to 34.3% from 2018–2024.
Katie Patton • Allison Oakes, Ph.D.
StudiesJanuary 22, 2026
Primary Care Panels Vary in Size Based on Demographic Factors and Employment Structure
Primary care patient panels vary widely across practice settings, with employment status emerging as a crucial indicator.
Katie Patton • Colin Macon • Allison Oakes, Ph.D.
StudiesJanuary 15, 2026
Potential Revenue Impacts of Elimination of the Medicare Inpatient Only List
The average difference between IPPS and OPPS payment rates across all 285 procedures is -$16,334 per procedure.
Katie Patton • David Taylor • Allison Oakes, Ph.D.
StudiesDecember 22, 2025
ABA Therapy Utilization Grew Nearly 300%, Driven by Increases in Medicaid
Explosive growth in ABA therapy reflects expanded access but also signals possible overuse driven by systemic incentives.
Katie Patton • Allison Oakes, Ph.D. • Austin Miller
StudiesDecember 15, 2025
State Hospital Pricing Law Signals 2026 Legislative Activity and Potential Federal Reform
Even a 1% reduction in commercial rates could lower total commercial health insurance premiums by $13B by 2032.
Katie Patton • Allison Oakes, Ph.D.
StudiesDecember 08, 2025
High Polypharmacy Rates Underscore Pharmaceutical Reliance
The prevalence of polypharmacy across the U.S. population reflects both ongoing therapeutic innovation and the limitations of the U.S. healthcare system
Katie Patton • Allison Oakes, Ph.D. • Austin Miller
StudiesNovember 26, 2025
Cash Rates Are Often Lower Than Negotiated Rates for Common Hospital Services
Hospital price transparency made discounted cash and negotiated rates publicly available, but this information is disconnected from actual payment decisions.
Katie Patton • Matt Ikard • Allison Oakes, Ph.D.
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