research highlights

Peer reviewed publications.

Balkan E, Shroff J, Trivedi AN, Ryan AM, Meyers DJ. Rapid Disenrollment Rates Tripled For Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries, 2017–22. Health Affairs. 2026. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01082.

Abstract: Rapid disenrollment, when a beneficiary disenrolls from a new Medicare Advantage (MA) plan within the first three months of the calendar year, could signal enrollees’ immediate dissatisfaction with their plan. The proportion of MA enrollees who rapidly disenrolled tripled from 3.5 percent in 2017 to 12.2 percent in 2022. We report on trends in rapid disenrollment to guide future actions.

Balkan E, Gadbois EA, Tucher E, Bernard KP, Thomas KS. Home-delivered nutrition services for older adults under the Older Americans Act. JAMA Network Open. 2025. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.34747.

Findings & Meaning: This qualitative study of 54 participants found that home-delivered meals meet the Older Americans Act’s stated goals to (1) reduce hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition; (2) promote socialization; and (3) promote the health and well-being of older adults. In addition, participants said home-delivered meals improved the health, well-being, and finances of their caregivers. These findings suggest that home-delivered meals programs not only achieve their intended outcomes but also yield meaningful health-related benefits beyond their stated purpose that remain to be quantified.

Balkan E, Babbs G, Meyers DJ, Kelly PJA, Yee K, Pletta DR, Shireman TI, Alpert AB, Baker K, Hughto JMW. Estimates of gender-affirming surgery for transgender and gender diverse Medicare beneficiaries. JAMA Network Open. 2025. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.8072.

Findings & Meaning: In this cross-sectional study of 35, 737 Medicare beneficiaries identified as transgender, gender-affirming surgical procedures were very rare, and the rate of surgery receipt decreased from between 2.1% and 2.2% in 2016 and 2017 to 1.4% in 2018 and 2019. There were also significant differences in the frequency of gender-affirming surgical procedures by beneficiary characteristics. This study suggests that few transgender Medicare beneficiaries undergo gender-affirming surgery, and further study is warranted to understand any barriers to accessing care.

em balkan