Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receive fewer home health visits, study finds

Healthcare DIVE March 5, 2024
Emily Olsen

Fewer home health visits and shorter lengths of stay are likely related to cost containment strategies by Medicare Advantage plans, the researchers wrote.

Dive Brief:

• Medicare Advantage beneficiaries received fewer home health visits and were less likely to improve self-care and mobility function compared with patients covered by traditional Medicare, according to a study published in JAMA Health Forum.
• Patients insured under the privatized program were 5% more likely to be discharged to the community compared with Medicare, the study found. Average home health length of stay was also shorter by 1.62 days for MA beneficiaries.
• Fewer visits and less time in home healthcare is likely related to cost containment strategies used by MA insurers, like cost-sharing...

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