TCD screening and out-of-pocket spending among children with sickle cell anemia
Children with sickle cell anemia are at a high risk of stroke. As such, annual transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening is strongly recommended to identify children that should begin stroke prevention efforts. A recent study, led by CHEAR faculty Sarah Reeves, PhD, MPH, Kevin Dombkowski, DrPH, MS, and Kao-Ping Chua, MD, PhD, highlighted that fewer than half of privately insured children with sickle cell anemia received annual TCD screening. Further, out-of-pocket spending was greater than $100 for 27% of TCD screens. Despite finding no association between TCD screening and high-deductible health plan enrollment, this study emphasizes the need for future research efforts to further explore whether cost-sharing may deter TCD screening.
Collaborators: Reeves SL, Ng S, Dombkowski KJ, Raphael JL, Chua KP
