Dobson | DaVanzo worked with a national association's members to calculate standardized Medicare payments for services that are currently determined by Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACS) and vary by region. These standardized Medicare payments were calculated by applying inputs from a RUC-like survey of association members that we conducted to the Practice Expense (PE) algorithm used by CMS to determine PE Relative Value Units (RVUs) under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). RUC refers to the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee, which provides recommendations on the relative resources involved in furnishing physician services. We found that carrier priced payments were inconsistent with and lower than estimated payments that we produced from the PFS PE RVU algorithm using standardized RUC-like survey inputs.

Dobson | DaVanzo recently conducted a study commissioned by the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) to determine the impact of specialty nursing certifications for nursing staff on Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) quality and financial outcomes. 

Dobson | DaVanzo analyzed several factors, including Quality Measure (QM) Scores, CMS Star Ratings, Facility Capacity (Census), Civil Monetary Penalties, Denied Claims, profit margins, Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) multipliers, and staff turnover. Our team utilized a triangulated approach involving a literature review, qualitative semi-structured interviews, and quantitative data analysis spanning 2022 through 2024 from four data sources: AAPACN-provided certification data, Medicare FFS SNF claims data, Medicare cost report data, and publicly available provider data. 

We found that AAPACN specialty nursing certifications among staff are associated with positive quality and financial indicators for the SNF. These results confirm the economic and quality of care benefits that AAPACN certification provides to facilities and the patients they serve.

Dobson | DaVanzo recently published an analysis commissioned by Dexcom, Inc. examining the impact of new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) policies on reimbursement for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) under the CY 2026 Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Final Rule. The study evaluates whether the shift from lump-sum purchases to a monthly rental model within the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) will achieve CMS’s goal of reducing costs while maintaining beneficiary access to essential diabetes technologies. The analysis draws on literature review, supplier data, and stakeholder feedback to assess the financial and operational implications of the policy changes.

The analysis, titled, "Analysis of Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Supplier Costs and Market Dynamics", found that the new reimbursement structure may place significant financial strain on suppliers. Under the rule, suppliers must take on additional responsibilities—including device maintenance, software updates, and patient support—while operating under reduced reimbursement rates through competitive bidding. Evidence suggests that the maximum monthly payment threshold may be insufficient to cover total supplier costs, particularly given the added operational requirements and delayed cost recovery under the rental model.

The study also found that the structure of the CBP may be poorly suited to the CGM market, which is characterized by limited manufacturer competition and high upfront capital requirements. These dynamics could reduce supplier participation, particularly among smaller or regional providers, potentially leading to disruptions in patient access. The analysis further highlights that reduced access to CGMs may increase hospitalizations and other costly care, offsetting any projected Medicare savings and undermining the policy’s intended goals. The full report is available on the Dobson | DaVanzo website.

Dobson | DaVanzo recently partnered with AAHomecare and VieMed to conduct a study measuring the differences in outcomes and overall treatment costs between patients with significant respiratory challenges who received non-invasive (NIV) therapy compared to patients who do not utilize NIV. 

Our team analyzed Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) and Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries with a diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and/or Chronic Respiratory Failure (COPD-CRF). We compared outcomes of beneficiaries with COPD and/or CRF who received NIV therapy within two months of diagnosis to the outcomes of beneficiaries who did not receive the therapy after weighting by demographic and clinical factors. 

The results demonstrated that early initiation of NIV therapy is associated with significant reduction in mortality, Emergency Department (ED) visits, hospitalization, 30-day readmission and Medicare spending for FFS patients. Similarly, the results demonstrated that the early initiation of NIV therapy is associated with significant reduction in ED visits, hospitalization, outpatient visits, and 30-day readmission for MA patients. The results of this study can be used to inform CMS policies, improve patient health outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.

Dobson DaVanzo & Associates, LLC (Dobson | DaVanzo) announces that our President and CEO, Dr. Al Dobson, will be temporarily stepping back from his day-to-day leadership role, but will remain available on an intermittent advisory basis. Dr. Dobson will remain President and Managing Director of the company.

During this period, Kimberly Rhodes, MA (Senior Manager and active member of our Executive Committee), will serve as Acting CEO. Kimberly brings extensive leadership experience and a deep understanding of our business, clients, and culture.

Our Executive Committee, established in 2024, will continue to support operations and business strategy. As a result, the firm remains stable and well-positioned to continue independent operations seamlessly and effectively into the future.

Dobson | DaVanzo remains strong, energized, and focused on serving our clients and advancing their strategic goals. Our seasoned leadership team will continue working collaboratively to grow Dobson | DaVanzo, support our employees, and deliver exceptional results.

The culture that defines our organization remains as strong as ever. It will continue to be a cornerstone of our success and the overall health of the firm.

We appreciate your continued support and confidence as we move forward together.

Dobson | DaVanzo is pleased to announce that Patrick McMahon, C.P.A., M.B.A., M.P.H. has joined the firm as a senior consultant. Mr. McMahon specializes in developing financial models and managing complex quantitative analyses to support strategic decision-making for health care providers, manufacturers, and public sector clients. Mr. McMahon has produced numerous financial models addressing long-term demand, health care expenditures, and policy-related cost projections. In addition, he also actively participates in the collection, organization, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data for Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) and other community assessments. 

Mr. McMahon earned a Master of Business Administration in Financial Management and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from George Mason University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia and a Project Management Professional certified by the Project Management Institute.

Dobson | DaVanzo sponsored a table at the 41st Annual Health Policy Ball held on March 7, 2026, at The Ritz Carlton in McLean, Virgina. The event honors the legacy of David A. Winston, who founded the ball in 1985, and serves as the primary annual fundraiser for the Winston fellowship and scholarship program. 

David A. Winston worked across both state and federal government, bridging the public and private sectors and making lasting contributions to U.S. health policy. What began as a gathering of colleagues and friends in the healthcare community has grown into a meaningful tradition that supports the next generation of health policy leaders. Further details on the Winston Health Policy Fellowships and Scholarships can be found here.

Dobson | DaVanzo recently co-authored a blog with The Commonwealth Fund titled, “Without Renewal of Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, Rural Hospital Revenues Will Drop by $1.6 Billion.” The analysis employed the Dobson | DaVanzo Hospital Finance Simulation Model (HFSM) to estimate the financial impact of the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits on hospitals. The model uses the latest Medicare Hospital Cost Report data, allowing for the examination of revenues and expenses by payer for each acute care hospital.

The study found that the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits for people enrolled in marketplace plans could cause large coverage losses, leading to a nearly 10 percent decline in operating margins, on average, for rural hospitals. Rural hospitals in states that did not expand Medicaid could experience a 38 percent decline in operating margins, on average, with larger declines in certain states. The blog post is available on The Commonwealth Fund’s website, and an extended version of the analysis is available on our website.

Gemma Axelrad recently joined Dobson | DaVanzo as a Research Analyst. She earned her Master of Public Health in Policy and Management from NYU, where she focused her studies on health equity, food systems, and healthcare reform. Prior to joining Dobson | DaVanzo, Ms. Axelrad served as a Food Standards Associate at the New York City Department of Health, where she supported the rollout of updated citywide nutrition standards and developed technical assistance tools to aid in policy implementation. She also worked as a Qualitative Research Associate at Weill Cornell Medicine on a study examining weight loss and social networks, conducting participant interviews and managing data quality. Earlier, as a Policy Intern with Food Systems Collaborative, she advanced legislative priorities on food recovery, date labeling, and college hunger through research and advocacy. We are thrilled that Gemma has joined our team and are confident that her skills and expertise will contribute to the success of our organization.

The co-authored analysis was an issue brief titled, “The Impact of Proposed Federal Medicaid Work Requirements on Hospital Revenues and Financial Margins.” The study found that work requirements for Americans covered by the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid eligibility expansion could cause large coverage losses, leading to an 11.7 to 13.3 percent decline in operating margins, on average, for hospitals in Medicaid expansion states. Safety-net hospitals, which treat a higher proportion of low-income and Medicaid patients, could experience a 25.9 to 29.6 percent reduction in operating margins, on average, with even greater declines in rural areas and certain states. The full issue brief is available on The Commonwealth Fund’s website.

We are pleased to announce that Dobson | DaVanzo was recently awarded the Medicare Part D Manufacturer Discount Program Data Support contract with CMS. This project supports CMS through analyses related to the Manufacturer Discount Program, which replaced the Coverage Gap Discount Program as mandated by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. In addition, under this project the team provides plan sponsors with information to more effectively coordinate benefits for their enrollees in line with CMS policy, and analyzes other aspects of the Part D program. Dobson | DaVanzo, together with our subcontractor, Acumen, LLC, looks forward to continuing this important work with CMS.

Dobson | DaVanzo is proud to share a recent study conducted by our team, published in Prosthetics and Orthotics International, which highlights the impact of providing microprocessor knees (MPKs) to Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) K2 beneficiaries (those with above-knee or knee disarticulation amputations who have the ability or potential for ambulation to traverse low level environmental barriers such as curbs, stairs, or uneven surfaces). 

Using Medicare FFS claims data and propensity score weighting techniques, the study found that MPK provision was associated with an 18.5% reduction in injurious falls resulting in a medical claim among K2 beneficiaries. Additionally, provision of MPKs to the K2 beneficiaries led to an average medical cost savings of $1,351 per member per month, amortizing the $25,075 cost difference between MPKs and non-microprocessor knees within 19 months. Over a 10-year period, projected Medicare savings could reach $410.3 million.

These findings contribute to the ongoing policy discussion about Medicare coverage for MPKs in the K2 population. In March 2023, CMS released a draft policy for public comment regarding this coverage, marking an initial step toward potential changes in reimbursement. This study provides new data to inform policymakers and other stakeholders as they consider the implications of expanding MPK coverage for K2 beneficiaries.

With the recent changes in the Administration, shifts in health policy priorities are inevitable. For organizations impacted by these developments, understanding the implications and leveraging data to adapt is more crucial than ever.

At Dobson | DaVanzo, we specialize in health policy and economic analyses, offering comprehensive data analytics and policy insights to help our clients make informed decisions. Whether you need to evaluate the effects of proposed regulations, assess financial implications, or identify trends in healthcare access, our team provides the expertise and tools to translate complex data into actionable strategies.

Through our work, we empower decision-makers across the healthcare ecosystem with information to understand an evolving policy landscape. We maintain access to 100% Research Identifiable File data through our Innovator Data Use Agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), incorporating the most currently available Medicare (Fee-for-Service and Medicare Advantage) and Medicaid data into our analyses as appropriate. We look forward to continuing to leverage these data in support of your organization’s needs.

Mia Taylor joined Dobson | DaVanzo as a Research Analyst in November 2024. Mia holds a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Society from the University of Vermont. In her previous roles as a Research Fellow at Boston University and as a Program Assistant at the New England Public Health Training Center, Mia gained valuable experience in public health research and project coordination.

We are thrilled that Mia has joined our team and are confident that her skills and expertise will contribute to the success of our organization.

Dobson | DaVanzo provides expert testimony, litigation support, and economic analyses to help courts, plaintiffs, and defendants address complex healthcare issues. From assessing damages in state-level opioid cases to uncovering fraudulent billing and projecting future care costs, our team develops insights that drive legal decisions.

Our experienced economists leverage advanced analytical techniques and large medical datasets to provide comprehensive, data-driven solutions. With expertise in administrative claims, market research, and patient records, our analyses withstand rigorous legal scrutiny.

From pre-trial discovery to trial preparation and expert rebuttal, we assist at every stage of litigation. Visit our Litigation Support page to learn how we empower legal teams with trusted healthcare insights.