Wenjia Zhu

Wenjia Zhu is a health economist with expertise in impact evaluation and data analytics. She has evaluated policies and programs that affect the Medicare and Medicaid populations and used large data sets to understand geographic and temporal variation in opioid use and misuse.

Zhu leads research funded by Arnold Ventures to assess the value of Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan enrollment in reducing unnecessary hospital and nursing facility use and enhancing the use of home and community-based care for dually eligible people with partial benefits who switch to full benefits. Zhu also leads a study funded by the AARP’s Public Policy Institute to estimate changes in enrollment after states’ eligibility changes in Medicare Savings Programs for people with limited incomes and resources. She provides technical assistance to states to support their rigorous evaluation of section 1115 demonstrations, including demonstrations that address behavioral health and health-related social needs. She has used Medicaid, commercial claims, and survey data to gain insight into geographic and temporal variation in opioid use and misuse. She has contributed to the evaluations of the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus model and the Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative, both funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Zhu has published in peer-reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Health Economics, American Journal of Health Economics, and AIDS. She holds a Ph.D. in economics from Boston University.