August 22, 2024  – A recent study unveiled the challenges and risks faced by homebound seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Led by Dr. Bruce Leff, a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the research analyzed data from 2,435,519 Humana Inc. MA beneficiaries in 2022 to assess the prevalence and implications of being homebound.

The study found that 22% of the surveyed MA beneficiaries were classified as homebound. This is a status that significantly correlated with higher utilization of health services. “We thought it would be useful to understand if this population exists in MA, because if it does, then we need to be thinking about how to optimize care for these people, and make sure they get the care that they need, and make this somewhat invisible population visible,” explained Dr. Leff.

Surprisingly, the research revealed that being homebound was an independent risk factor for negative outcomes like mortality, even when accounting for other variables like chronic conditions and frailty. “One thing that the study demonstrates is that being homebound is a very powerful predictor of poor outcomes, whether it’s emergency department visits, or inpatient admissions into the hospital, or skilled-nursing facility admissions or death,” Dr. Leff noted.

The findings highlight the critical need for Medicare Advantage plans to incorporate assessments of homebound status into their routine evaluations. Such measures could greatly enhance the precision and effectiveness of care provided to this vulnerable segment of the population.

Dr. Leff also suggested that the results of the study should prompt Medicare Advantage plans to create stronger partnerships with home-based care providers. The study advocates for a comprehensive approach to managing the health of homebound seniors by integrating various forms of home-based care, including palliative care, hospital-at-home services, and skilled nursing facility care at home.

Looking ahead, Dr. Leff envisions a shift in healthcare delivery: “In the future, we’re going to be doing a whole lot more at home, and the hospital will become a big ER, OR and ICU.”

This research not only sheds light on the urgent needs of homebound seniors but also outlines a pathway for enhancing their care through Medicare Advantage plans, potentially transforming the landscape of healthcare for elderly populations.