Medicare Advantage beneficiaries received less at-home care than their counterparts in fee-for-service Medicare, a study published March 1 in JAMA Health Forum found.
The study compared data from MA and traditional Medicare enrollees at 102 home health locations in 19 states. Medicare Advantage beneficiaries had shorter home health lengths of stay than traditional Medicare enrollees by 1.62 days.
The study found MA beneficiaries received fewer nursing, therapy and aide visits than their counterparts in traditional Medicare. MA enrollees had slightly worse outcomes than those in traditional Medicare. Those enrolled in MA had 3% lower odds of improving mobility after home healthcare than those in traditional Medicare, and 4% lower odds of improving self-care.
The lower rates of home health visits are likely "associated with cost-containment strategies used by MA plans," including prior authorizations and cost-sharing after a certain number of visits, the authors wrote.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle, Bayada Home Health Care in Moorestown, N.J., and the University of Pittsburgh.
Read the full study here.