Less Post-Acute Care Worsens Outcomes, Medicare Advantage Patients Reveal in New Study

A recent study conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University sheds light on the disparities in post-acute care service utilization and outcomes between Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees and traditional Medicare beneficiaries. The study encompassed nearly 2,400 Medicare beneficiaries who had undergone surgery or received hospital-related care, subsequently requiring skilled nursing, institutional rehab facility, or home care. The findings revealed that MA enrollees had shorter service durations compared to their traditional Medicare counterparts, and they reported less functional improvement during their care. Among respondents with specific health conditions and procedures, such as hospitalizations, falls, hip or knee surgeries, arthritis, or osteoporosis, MA enrollees consistently reported unfavorable outcomes, including reduced utilization of post-acute care and diminished functional improvement. The study also highlighted potential factors contributing to these disparities, including MA networks potentially offering lower-quality skilled nursing facilities. The researchers emphasized the need for policymakers to thoroughly assess the broader evidence before fully endorsing value-based care plans.