Agilon Health PCPs Demonstrate Effective Palliative Care Delivery
The study conducted by Agilon Health's Chief Medical Officer and published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management presents significant findings in the field of value-based care (VBC), particularly regarding integrated palliative care for older patients. The study, employing a full-risk, Total Care Model, focused on Medicare Advantage and ACO REACH patients enrolled in an innovative palliative care program. Key findings include improved patient-centered outcomes, reduced hospitalizations, ICU days, and emergency department visits, and a significant decrease in the total cost of care.
Contributions to the VBC Field:
Patient-Centered Outcomes: The study underscores the importance of patient preferences in end-of-life care, highlighting a shift towards home-based care during patients' final months, aligning with the preferences of a majority of patients.
Reduced Hospital Utilization: The significant reduction in hospitalizations, ICU days, and emergency visits demonstrates the model's effectiveness in reducing acute care usage, thereby easing the burden on healthcare facilities.
Cost Effectiveness: The considerable decrease in the total cost of care from enrollment until death showcases the financial benefits of the model, making it a sustainable option in healthcare.
Areas for Future Research Improvement:
Inclusion of Hospice Data: Future studies should consider including data on hospice care, such as the number of hospice days. This would provide a more comprehensive view of end-of-life care and its impact on both patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
Broader Population Analysis: While this study focuses on a specific cohort, expanding future research to include a more diverse population could help generalize the findings.
Comparative Effectiveness Research: Comparing this model with other palliative care models could provide deeper insights into the most effective strategies for end-of-life care.
In summary, the study by Agilon Health represents a significant step forward in the VBC field, especially regarding palliative care for older frail patients. However, there are opportunities for further research to expand and deepen our understanding of effective healthcare models in this area.
Reference:
Rao K, Goldstein NE, Peikes DN, Polt L, Kornitzer B. Effects of primary care-led, integrated palliative care for Medicare patients in a value-based model. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2023 Nov 14.