Matthew James Alcusky

Dr. Matthew James Alcusky is an Associate Professor in the Division of Epidemiology at the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School. He holds academic appointments at the T.H. Chan School of Medicine and the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, where he contributes to programs in Clinical Investigation, MD/PhD Training, and Population Health Sciences.

Education:

• PhD in Clinical & Population Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School
• PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy), University of Rhode Island
• MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island

Research Interests: Dr. Alcusky focuses on pharmacoepidemiology and health services research, leveraging large observational datasets to inform clinical practice and health policy. His work emphasizes medication safety, comparative effectiveness, and healthcare utilization patterns in vulnerable populations. Key areas include:

• Medication management in nursing homes
• Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)
• Risk-based payment models for complex patients
• Social determinants of health and health equity

Recent Article Trends: His publications from 2020-2025 highlight studies on:

• Medicare/Medicaid policy impacts on healthcare utilization
• Anticoagulant use in elderly populations
• Deprescribing strategies in nursing homes
• ACO implementation outcomes in Massachusetts

Grants & Advising: Dr. Alcusky leads the independent evaluation of the Massachusetts Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program and advises MassHealth on pharmaceutical value assessment. He collaborates with the UMass team refining Medicaid payment models and risk-adjustment methodologies.

Teams/Labs: Participates in multidisciplinary teams focused on health systems research, including collaborations with the MassHealth program and MGH/McLean Hospital networks.