Megan Cole Brahim | Profiles RNS

Megan Cole Brahim, PhD

Assistant Professor

Boston University School of Public Health

Dept of Health Law, Policy & Management

PhD, Brown University
MPH, Yale University

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Websites

ORCID : 0000-0001-8731-4210

Dr. Cole is a Peter Paul Professor in the Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management and co-director of the BU Medicaid Policy Lab. Her work uses health services research and econometric methods to study how Medicaid policy and care delivery models affect quality of care, access to care, and racial equity of care for Medicaid and other low-income, safety-net populations, especially those served by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Recent work in this area has included maternal health, mental health, and chronic disease populations. Most of this work leverages large datasets, including national Medicaid claims data; All Payer Claims Data (APCD); Electronic Health Record data; and national and statewide patient survey data.

Examples of recent and ongoing work include: Examining the impact of Medicaid expansion on coverage, quality of care, access to care, and equity within low-income populations, especially those served by FQHCs; Understanding organizational and policy drivers of quality, access, and equity within FQHCs and other safety-net providers; Evaluating how Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) affect quality of care and address social needs, particularly among pregnant people and patients with mental health needs; Understanding the role of under-insurance (e.g., high deductible health plans) in access to care for low-income, racial/ethnic minority, and other marginalized populations; Evaluating the impact of integrating behavioral health into primary care at FQHCs; and Evaluating how rapid adoption of telehealth during COVID-19 may mitigate, or exacerbate, disparities in quality of care among Medicaid-enrollees served by FQHCs.

Dr. Cole completed her PhD in Health Services Research at Brown University School of Public Health and received an MPH in Health Policy from Yale University School of Public Health. She previously worked in research consulting, where she worked with state and federal agencies on Medicaid policy and implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Her work has been covered by outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, NPR, Vox, US News & World Report, The Hill, and Forbes.

BU Research

Improving Quality of Care for Low-Income Pregnant People through Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations: A Natural Experiment
08/28/2022 - 04/30/2027 (PI)
NIH/National Inst on Minority Health and Health Disparities
1R01MD017703-01

Initiative for Excellence in Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Black Communities
08/01/2021 - 07/31/2024 (Subcontract PI)
Community Care Cooperative Gordon & Betty Moore

Implications of the US 340B Drug Pricing Program for the Availability, Quality of Care, and Equitability of Syndemic (HIV/SUD/MH) health Services (340B AQCESS)
09/01/2022 - 05/31/2023 (Key Person / Mentor)
HHS/Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
1R36HS029147-01

Examining a newly developed equity-focused telehealth delivery model providing primary care for Medicaid enrollees with chronic conditions
12/15/2020 - 01/31/2023 (PI)
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Value and Equity of Telehealth for Low-Income Patients with Chronic Conditions at Federally Qualified Health Centers
01/01/2021 - 12/31/2022 (PI)
The Donaghue Foundation

National estimates of the impact of the affordable care act on healthcare utilization, outcomes & quality among hispanics
12/01/2019 - 11/30/2022 (Subcontract PI)
Wake Forest University NIH NIMHD
5R01MD011594-05

Rhode Island Health Care Cost Analysis and Cost Growth Target-Setting
09/01/2019 - 04/15/2020 (Subcontract PI)
Brown University Peter G Peterson Fdn

Rhode Island Health Care Cost Analysis and Cost Growth Target-Setting
07/01/2018 - 06/30/2019 (Subcontract PI)
Brown University Peter G Peterson Fdn

Title

Yr	Title	Project-Sub Proj	Pubs

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

iCite Analysis Copy PMIDs To Clipboard

Cole MB, Lee EK, Davoust M; Carey K, Kim JH. Comparison of Visit Rates Before vs After Telehealth Expansion Among Patients With Mental Health Diagnoses Treated at Federally Qualified Health Centers. JAMA Netw Open. 2022; 5(11):e2242059. View Publication
Shankar KN, Dugas JN, Flacks J, Cole MB, Morton S, James T, Mitchell P. High touch, high trust: Using community health advocates and lawyers to address ED high utilizers. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2022; 60:171-176. View Publication
Auty SG, Cole MB, Wallace J. Association Between Medicaid Managed Care Coverage of Substance Use Services and Treatment Utilization. JAMA Health Forum. 2022; 8(3):e2228. View Publication

Shankar KN, Dugas JN, Flacks J, Brahim MC, Morton S, James T, Mitchell P. High touch, high trust: Using community health advocates and lawyers to address ED high utilizers. Am J Emerg Med. 2022 Oct; 60:171-176. PMID: 36037733; DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2022.07.049;

Skinner A, Flannery K, Nocka K, Bor J, Dean LT, Jay J, Lipson SK, Cole MB, Benfer EA, Scheckman R, Raderman W, Jones DK, Raifman J. A database of US state policies to mitigate COVID-19 and its economic consequences. BMC Public Health. 2022 Jun 04; 22(1):1124.View Related Profiles.

Bor, Jacob
Jay, Jonathan
Raifman, Julia
Cole Brahim, Megan
Lipson, Sarah

PMID: 35659285; PMCID: PMC9166228; DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13487-0;

Ellison J, Cole MB, Thompson TA. Association of Telehealth Reimbursement Parity With Contraceptive Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Apr 01; 5(4):e226732. PMID: 35404462; PMCID: PMC9002337; DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.6732;

Lin MY, Kim J, Sheldrick RC, Bair-Merritt MH, Durham MP, Feinberg E, Cole MB. Five-Year Trends in Pediatric Mental Health Emergency Department Visits in Massachusetts: A Population-Based Cohort Study. J Pediatr. 2022 Jul; 246:199-206.e17.View Related Profiles.

Feinberg, Emily
Cole Brahim, Megan
Bair-Merritt, Megan
Lin, Meng-yun
Durham, Michelle
Sheldrick, Radley

PMID: 35301021; DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.03.011;

Sheldrick RC, Carter AS, Eisenhower A, Mackie TI, Cole MB, Hoch N, Brunt S, Pedraza FM. Effectiveness of Screening in Early Intervention Settings to Improve Diagnosis of Autism and Reduce Health Disparities. JAMA Pediatr. 2022 Mar 01; 176(3):262-269.View Related Profiles.

Cole Brahim, Megan
Sheldrick, Radley

PMID: 34982099; PMCID: PMC8728657; DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.5380;

Cole MB, Nguyen KH, Byhoff E, Murray GF. Screening for Social Risk at Federally Qualified Health Centers: A National Study. Am J Prev Med. 2022 May; 62(5):670-678.View Related Profiles.

Nguyen, Kevin
Cole Brahim, Megan

PMID: 35459451; PMCID: PMC9035213; DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.11.008;

Cole MB, Nguyen KH, Byhoff E, Murray G. Screening for Social Risk Factors at Federally Qualified Health Centers: A National Study. Am J Prev Med. 2022. View Publication

Showing 10 of 44 results. Show More

Cole MB, Raifman JR, Assoumou SA, Kim JH. Assessment of Administration and Receipt of COVID-19 Vaccines by Race and Ethnicity in US Federally Qualified Health Centers. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 01 04; 5(1):e2142698.View Related Profiles.

Raifman, Julia
Cole Brahim, Megan
Assoumou, Sabrina

PMID: 35006248; PMCID: PMC8749468; DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.42698;

Cole MB, Kim JH, Levengood TW, Trivedi AN. Association of Medicaid Expansion With 5-Year Changes in Hypertension and Diabetes Outcomes at Federally Qualified Health Centers. JAMA Health Forum. 2021; 2(9):e212375. View Publication
Ellison J, Cole MB, Hanchate AD, Kazis L, Lindsay S. Nonindicated pelvic examinations during contraceptive encounters: Prevalence and provider variations. Contraception. 2021; 103(4):239-245.
Nguyen KH, Trivedi AN, Cole MB. Receipt of Social Needs Assistance and Health Center Patient Experience of Care. Am J Prev Med. 2021; 60(3):e139-e147.
Cole MB, Shafer PR, Gordon SH. What the New Biden Administration May Mean for Medicaid. JAMA Health Forum. 2021; 1(2):e201497. View Publication
Cole MB. Federally Qualified Health Centers Play a Critical Role in Ensuring Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Access. Health Serv Res. 2021; 56(S2):9-10.
Cole MB. Disparities in Telehealth Use during COVID-19 across Federally Qualified Health Centers: Findings from National Survey Data. Health Serv Res. 2021; 56(S2):29-30.

Ellison J, Cole MB, Hanchate AD, Kazis L, Lindsay S. Nonindicated pelvic examinations during contraceptive encounters: Prevalence and provider variations. Contraception. 2021 04; 103(4):239-245.View Related Profiles.

Hanchate, Amresh
Kazis, Lewis
Cole Brahim, Megan

PMID: 33373613

Nguyen KH, Trivedi AN, Cole MB. Receipt of Social Needs Assistance and Health Center Patient Experience of Care. Am J Prev Med. 2021 03; 60(3):e139-e147.View Related Profiles.

Nguyen, Kevin
Cole Brahim, Megan

PMID: 33309453; PMCID: PMC7931986; DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.08.030;

Ellison JE, Hanchate AD, Kazis LE, Cole MB. Association of the National Dependent Coverage Expansion With Insurance Use for Sexual and Reproductive Health Services by Female Young Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 12 01; 3(12):e2030214.View Related Profiles.

Hanchate, Amresh
Kazis, Lewis
Cole Brahim, Megan

PMID: 33337495; PMCID: PMC7749438; DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.30214;

Ellison J, Shafer P, Cole MB. Racial/Ethnic And Income-Based Disparities In Health Savings Account Participation Among Privately Insured Adults. Health Aff (Millwood). 2020 11; 39(11):1917-1925.View Related Profiles.

Cole Brahim, Megan
Shafer, Paul

PMID: 33136490

Cole MB, Nguyen KH. Unmet social needs among low-income adults in the United States: Associations with health care access and quality. Health Serv Res. 2020 10; 55 Suppl 2:873-882.View Related Profiles.

Nguyen, Kevin
Cole Brahim, Megan

PMID: 32880945; PMCID: PMC7518813; DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.13555;

Cole MB. The Five-Year Effect of Medicaid Expansion on Community Health Centers: Coverage, Quality of Care, and Service Volume. Health Serv Res. 2020; 55(S1):38-39. View Publication
Kim JH, Desai E, Cole MB. How The Rapid Shift To Telehealth Leaves Many Community Health Centers Behind During The COVID-19 Pandemic. Health Affairs Blog. 2020. View Publication

Cole MB, Ellison JE, Trivedi AN. Association Between High-Deductible Health Plans and Disparities in Access to Care Among Cancer Survivors. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 06 01; 3(6):e208965. PMID: 32579191; PMCID: PMC7315283; DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.8965;

Cole MB, Qin Q, Sheldrick RC, Morley DS, Bair-Merritt MH. The effects of integrating behavioral health into primary care for low-income children. Health Serv Res. 2019 12; 54(6):1203-1213.View Related Profiles.

Cole Brahim, Megan
Bair-Merritt, Megan
Sheldrick, Radley

PMID: 31742687; PMCID: PMC6863244; DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.13230;

Meyers DJ, Cole MB, Rahman M, Lee Y, Rogers W, Gutman R, Wilson IB. The association of provider and practice factors with HIV antiretroviral therapy adherence. AIDS. 2019 11 01; 33(13):2081-2089. PMID: 31577572; PMCID: PMC6980422; DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000002316;

Cole MB, Galárraga O, Wilson IB. The Impact of Rhode Island's Multipayer Patient-centered Medical Home Program on Utilization and Cost of Care. Med Care. 2019 10; 57(10):801-808. PMID: 31464841; DOI: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000001194;

Meyers DJ, Cole MB, Rahman M, Lee Y, Rogers W, Gutman R, Wilson IB. The association of provider and practice factors with HIV ART adherence. AIDS. 2019 Jul 22. PMID: 31335809; DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000002316;

Cole MB, Galárraga O, Rahman M, Wilson IB. Trends in Comorbid Conditions Among Medicaid Enrollees With HIV. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019 Apr; 6(4):ofz124. PMID: 30976608; PMCID: PMC6453520; DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofz124;

Cole MB, Trivedi AN, Wright B, Carey K. Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care for Community Health Center Patients: Evidence Following the Affordable Care Act. J Gen Intern Med. 2018 09; 33(9):1444-1446.View Related Profiles.

Carey, Kathleen
Cole Brahim, Megan

PMID: 29845464; PMCID: PMC6108997; DOI: 10.1007/s11606-018-4499-2;

Cole MB, Wright B, Wilson IB, Galárraga O, Trivedi AN. Medicaid Expansion And Community Health Centers: Care Quality And Service Use Increased For Rural Patients. Health Aff (Millwood). 2018 06; 37(6):900-907. PMID: 29863920; PMCID: PMC6286055; DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2017.1542;

Cole MB, Wright B, Wilson IB, Galárraga O, Trivedi AN. Longitudinal Analysis of Racial/Ethnic Trends in Quality Outcomes in Community Health Centers, 2009-2014. J Gen Intern Med. 2018 06; 33(6):906-913. PMID: 29453528; PMCID: PMC5975141; DOI: 10.1007/s11606-018-4305-1;

Cole MB, Wilson IB, Trivedi AN. State Variation in Quality Outcomes and Disparities in Outcomes in Community Health Centers. Med Care. 2017 Dec; 55(12):1001-1007. PMID: 29016396; PMCID: PMC5688017; DOI: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000818;

Cole MB, Galárraga O, Wilson IB, Wright B, Trivedi AN. At Federally Funded Health Centers, Medicaid Expansion Was Associated With Improved Quality Of Care. Health Aff (Millwood). 2017 Jan 01; 36(1):40-48. PMID: 28069845; DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0804;

Cole MB, Pakutka J. Addressing State Health Care Challenges through Regulation: Use of a Public Utility Model. Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut. Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut. 2015; 1(1):1-10.
Cole MB, Haught R, Shen M, et al. New Hampshire Medicaid Expansion Study Phase III: An Analysis of Health Benefit Design Options for Current and Newly Eligible Medicaid Beneficiaries. Department of Health and Human Services. 2013; 1(1):1-47. View Publication
Cole MB, Haught R, Shen M, Cardick L. An Analysis of the Impact of Medicaid Expansion in Alaska. Department of Health and Social Services. 2013; 1(1):1-58. View Publication
Cole MB, Haught R, Shen M. An Evaluation of the Impact of Medicaid Expansion in New Hampshire: Phase II. Department of Health and Human Services. 2013; 1(1):1-60. View Publication
Haught R, Shen M, Cole MB. An Evaluation of the Impact of Medicaid Expansion in New Hampshire: Phase I. Department of Health and Human Services. 2012; 1(1):1-43. View Publication
Sheils J, Cole MB. Cost and Economic Impact Analysis of a Single-Payer Plan in Minnesota. 2012; 1(1):1-56. View Publication
Cole MB. An Assessment of State Efforts to Combat Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities Case Studies of Wisconsin, Texas, and Massachusetts. UMI Publishing, Yale University. 2011; 1(1).

Casson PR, Hornsby PJ, Buster JE. Adrenal androgens, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease. Semin Reprod Endocrinol. 1996 Feb; 14(1):29-34. PMID: 8796924; DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1016306;

Gardos G, Cole JO. Maintenance antipsychotic therapy: is the cure worse than the disease? Am J Psychiatry. 1976 Jan; 133(1):32-6. PMID: 2021; DOI: 10.1176/ajp.133.1.32;

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 43 publications over 11 distinct years, with a maximum of 11 publications in 2022

Bar chart showing 43 publications over 11 distinct years, with a maximum of 11 publications in 2022

Year	Publications
1996	1
2011	1
2012	2
2013	3
2015	1
2017	2
2018	3
2019	5
2020	8
2021	6
2022	11

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Recent (within 3 months)

Telehealth Ups Engagement for Medicaid Patients With Mental Health Diagnosis

HealthDay 11/15/2022

First They Get Long COVID, Then They Lose Their Health Care

WebMD 10/13/2022

Older

Federal health centers administer most COVID-19 vaccines to minorities

Healio 1/13/2022

FQHCs have played a key role in enabling COVID-19 vaccine equity among people of color

News Medical 1/10/2022

Obamacare's Medicaid Expansion Helped Americans' Blood Pressure

US News & World Report 9/13/2021

State juggles vaccine distribution as fewer online slots frustrate eligible residents

The Boston Globe 3/4/2021

New BU Lab Studies Medicaid, Where Racism, Poverty, and COVID-19 Meet

BU Today 2/17/2021

Here’s four reasons why your health insurance will go up in 2021

Boston 25 News 8/6/2020

How Insurance Plans Keep Black Patients From Cancer Care

US News & World Report: 6/29/2020

2018–2019 Career Development Awards Honor Eight Junior Faculty

BU Today 9/13/2018

In addition to these self-described keywords below, a list of MeSH based concepts is available here.

Medicaid
Health Policy
Health Services Research
Health Services Evaluations
Economic Evaluations
Quality of Health Care
Coverage, Insurance
Access to Health Care
Disparities, Health Care
Disparities, Health Status
Equity, Health
Social Determinants of Health
Primary Care
Low-Income Populations
Safety-net Clinic
Safety net Hospitals
Reform, Health Care
Quality Indicators, Health Care
Causality

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