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NORC at the University Chicago

Rebecca Shore Catterson

Principal Research Director
Health Care Programs
Catterson is a qualitative and survey researcher who focuses on understanding access to and quality of coverage and care.

Catterson has led several projects for Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace. One example was a mixed-methods study to understand the implementation of auto plan-selection for Medi-Cal transitioners into Covered California plans during the unwinding of the federal public health emergency and beyond, as mandated by SB-260. This study entailed monthly surveys with those who received an auto-plan section, as well as focus groups and in-depth interviews. Catterson currently leads NORC’s contract to conduct Covered California’s annual member survey. Previously for Covered California, she also led a formative qualitative research study including focus groups and in-depth interviews to support preparation for the implementation of SB-260 and co-led a qualitative study to inform Covered California’s plans for and communications to key consumer segments who would be impacted by additional federally-subsidies under the American Rescue Plan. 

For the California Health Care Foundation she is currently directing their annual statewide policy poll to understand California residents’ views on a variety of health care topics, including perceptions of Covered California, and led a mixed-methods study including focus groups, in-depth interviews, and a survey to understand access to care and health care experiences of low-income Californians during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Since 2023 she has also led MedPAC’s annual focus groups study which ensures the inclusion of the voice of Medicare beneficiaries and providers in their work and recommendations. Annually, through this project, NORC conducts focus groups with Medicare beneficiaries, including those dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, as well as providers who serve the Medicare population (including primary and specialist physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants). Focus groups are conducted in person and virtually.

Prior to coming to NORC, worked for the American Medical Association’s Ethics Group supporting their Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs.

Project Contributions

Understanding the Experiences of Dually Eligible Beneficiaries

Exploring how integrated care models serve Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries

Client:

Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission

The California Health Policy Survey

A survey of California residents’ views on and experiences with a variety of health care topics

Client:

California Health Care Foundation

Telehealth Experiences among Californians with Low Incomes

A qualitative study of telehealth experiences of Californians with low incomes

Client:

California Health Care Foundation

Research to Support Health Insurance Auto-Plan Selection

Studying the implementation of automatic enrollment for people transitioning out of Medi-Cal

Client:

Covered California

Medicare Payment Advisory Commission Focus Groups & Site Visits

Conducting annual focus groups with Medicare and Medicaid-Medicare beneficiaries and providers to inform Medicare policy for 20 years

Client:

Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC)

Listening to Californians with Low Incomes

A study documenting health care needs exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic

Client:

California Health Care Foundation

Evaluation of the State Health Information Exchange (HIE) Cooperative Agreement Program

NORC monitors effectiveness of efforts to facilitate states’ health information exchange

Client:

Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT

Evaluating Kentucky’s Medicaid HEALTH Waiver

Collecting data to assess the impact of Medicaid rule changes

Client:

Commonwealth of Kentucky

Covered California Data Disclosure Support

Designing a rigorous disclosure review process to ensure public data releases protect consumer privacy

Client:

Covered California

Communicating Health Care Quality to U.S. Consumers

Helping consumers choose health care providers

Client:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ)

California Health Insurance Survey

A monthly survey to inform improvements in California’s health insurance marketplace

Funder:

Covered California

Annual Survey of Covered California Members

Understanding Californians’ experiences shopping for or enrolling in the marketplace

Client:

Covered California

Analyses of Health Care Cost Drivers in New Mexico

Reducing health care administrative costs and considering global budgeting in New Mexico

Client:

New Mexico Legislative Health and Human Services Committee

Publications

Research Library & Findings