I study how provider incentives, government policies, social determinants, and adverse shocks shape health outcomes. I use economic theory, experimental and quasi-experimental methods, and leverage large administrative and novel datasets to examine the institutional, behavioral, and socio-economic drivers of health.
My current research portfolio spans several areas. I examine how provider incentives influence health equity and the cost and quality of care in Medicare. I also study the impact of nonemergency medical transportation benefits on healthcare utilization in Medicaid. A significant line of my research investigates the short- and long-term health and economic consequences of large-scale adverse shocks - such as hurricanes - and how they affect healthcare delivery and patient behavior. In addition, I test affordable, scalable interventions to improve healthcare access and outcomes in low-resource settings in developing countries.
My research is focused on improving healthcare delivery for vulnerable populations in the United States. I also collaborate with the United Nations Development Programme to address health challenges and improve healthcare systems in developing countries.
PUBLICATIONS
Civelek Y. The Effect of Hurricanes on Mental Health over the Long Term. Economics & Human Biology. 2023 Dec 1;51:101312.
Khullar D, Schpero WL, Casalino LP, Pierre R, Carter S, Civelek Y, Zhang M, Bond AM. Accountable Care Organization Leader Perspectives on the Medicare Shared Savings Program. JAMA Health Forum 2024 Mar 1 (Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. e240126-e240126).
Parikh RB, Civelek Y, Ozluk P, Debono D, Fisch MJ, Sylwestrzak G, Bekelman JE, Schwartz AL. Trends in Low-Value Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic. American Journal of Managed Care. 2024 Apr 1;30(4).
Civelek Y, Oakes A, Robinson M, Chi W. Distribution of a Remote Medical Exam Device Associated with an Increase in Telehealth Use. Telemedicine and e-Health. 2024 Apr 1;30(4):e1197-202.
Yu J, Civelek Y, Casalino LP, Jung HY, Zhang M, Pierre R, Khullar D. Audio-Only Telehealth Use Among Traditional Medicare Beneficiaries. JAMA Health Forum 2024 May 3 (Vol. 5, No. 5, pp. e240442-e240442).
Khullar D, Schpero WL, Casalino LP, Pierre R, Carter S, Civelek Y, Zhang M, Bond AM. Meeting The Needs Of Socially Vulnerable Patients: Views Of ACO Leaders On Moving From Intent To Action. Health Affairs. 2024 Aug 1;43(8):1100-8.
Yu J, Civelek Y, Casalino LP, Jung HY, Pierre R, Zhang M, Khullar D. Telehealth Delivery Differs Significantly By Physician And Practice Characteristics. Health Affairs. 2024 Sep 43(9):1311-1318 .
Bond AM, Schpero WL, Civelek Y, Tormohlen KN, Casalino LP, Jones DJ, Zhang M, Pierre R, Khullar D. Changes in Primary Care Practice Setting and Practice Type for Medicare Beneficiaries. JAMA Health Forum 2025 Apr 4 (Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. e250445-e250445)
A.M. Bond, Y.Civelek, W.L. Schpero, L. P. Casalino, M. Zhang, R. Pierre, D. Khullar. Long-term Spending of Accountable Care Organizations in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. JAMA. 2025 June. 333(21), pp.1897-1905.
UNDER REVIEW / WORKING PAPERS
“Overcoming Behavioral Impediments to Maternal Care: Experimental Evidence on Domain Knowledge and Nudgeability from Recalcitrant Pakistan” (with R. Cyan, R. Cesur, B. Yedgenov, R. Rothenberg) - NBER Working Paper
“Renters in the Eye of the Storm: the Economic and Health Impacts of Hurricane Exposure”
“Long-term Performance of Accountable Care Organizations Participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program on Quality of Care” (A.M. Bond, Y.Civelek, W.L. Schpero, L. P. Casalino, M. Zhang, R. Pierre, D. Khullar)
“Accountable Care Organizations Participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Health Care Disparities” (A.M. Bond, Y.Civelek, W.L. Schpero, L. P. Casalino, M. Zhang, R. Pierre, D. Khullar)
“Priming Maternal Care Facilities Through Mentoring: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Rural Pakistan” (with R. Cyan, R. Cesur, & B. Yedgenov)
“Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? The Health Impacts of Hurricanes in the US”
"Subnational Government Debt Governance: Lessons from Non-Asian Emerging Economies" (with Jorge Martinez-Vazquez)
RESEARCH GRANTS
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to the Medicaid Transportation Benefit and Implications for Patient Outcomes, Role: Co-Investigator (PIs: Jamila Michener and William Schpero), R01 MD018178, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, 2023-2027
Health Systems and High-Need Populations: The Effect of Vertical Integration on Utilization, Spending, and Quality for Medically Complex Patients, Role: Co-Investigator (PIs: Amelia Bond and Dhruv Khullar), R01 HS29012, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2023-2027