Journal of general internal medicine
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With more than half of all beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, ensuring access to high-quality MA plans is a key concern for policymakers. Access to high-quality MA plans may be limited in certain areas if private insurers are not willing to offer high-quality MA plans in local areas with greater unmet health-related social needs. ⋯ As historically marginalized groups are more likely to reside in markets with greater unmet social needs, disparities in access to high-quality MA plans may widen existing health disparities. Therefore, monitoring the availability of high-quality MA plans in areas with greater unmet social needs is needed to improve health equity for MA beneficiaries.
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Patients who have been discharged "against medical advice" (AMA) are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality, but there is little research about patients who have had more than one AMA discharge. ⋯ Patients who have been discharged AMA more than once represent a vulnerable population with significant unmet needs.