Abt Associates

Founded in 1965 by Clark Abt, Abt Associates applies scientific research, technical assistance, and consulting expertise to a wide range of issues in social, economic, and health policy, international development, clinical trials and registries, and business research. The company's staff of more than 1,000 is located in offices in Cambridge, Lexington, and Hadley, Massachusetts; and offices in Bethesda, Maryland; Chicago, Illinois; Durham, North Carolina; New York, New York; and more than 35 project offices around the world.

The company has more than 30 years of experience evaluating the effectiveness and impacts of health programs and policy. Its comprehensive process and outcomes evaluation and expert policy analysis help improve quality of medical care and patient safety, expand access to care, lower costs, and empower consumer choice.

Public and private healthcare initiatives face significant challenges to achieve desired outcomes while managing shifting demands and ever-increasing costs. In addition, policymakers continue to explore new strategies to ensure that people receive appropriate healthcare.

To assist clients as they address these issues, Abt Associates employs a variety of methodologies. It performs complex quantitative evaluations, including analysis of large data sets and statistical and econometric modeling. The company's qualitative evaluation capabilities include conducting focus groups, developing case studies, and reviewing the professional and scientific literature. It specializes in surveying hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations, including people with chronic medical conditions, individuals with disabilities, HIV-positive populations, families of children with special healthcare needs, Medicare beneficiaries, and Medicaid recipients. Abt Associates' capabilities include cost-effectiveness analysis, technology assessment, performance measurement, drug/medical claims analytic file construction and analysis, epidemiological studies, consumer satisfaction evaluations, literature reviews and meta-analysis, and clinical trial design and analysis.

Abt Associates also has expertise and experience in a wide range of domains, including community-based health, maternal and child health, disability and rehabilitation, post-acute care, mental health, health disparities, health outcomes and patient safety, healthcare finance, managed care, and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Over the years, Abt Associates has analyzed numerous health policy issues, examining the impact of federal and state regulatory policy on [Page 4]provider behavior and quality of care. The company's health economists and clinicians have developed and refined prospective payment and case-mix reimbursement systems for a variety of provider settings, analyzed the potential impact of new payment policies on healthcare outcomes and expenditures, and evaluated the effect of regulatory change on provider behavior.

Abt Associates works closely with clients to develop evaluation and analysis strategies that provide the information they need to make informed choices. Its skilled, multidisciplinary staff includes health services researchers, clinicians, data analysts, policy analysts, health economists, statisticians, and survey research methodologists who combine technical knowledge and integrated perspectives derived from years of experience. Primary clients include federal and state healthcare and public health agencies, national provider associations, and foundations.