How VA Medical Foster Homes may cut costs for long-term care
Official title: Evaluating the Impact of Medical Foster Home Coordinator Effort and Experience on Costs
Funded at James J Peters VA Medical Center · NIH-11469486 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A VA-funded project is examining whether Medical Foster Homes with trained caregivers can provide a cheaper community-based alternative to nursing homes for aging Veterans who receive home-based primary care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | James J Peters VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003809-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11469486 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans enrolled in VA Home-Based Primary Care who are eligible for Medical Foster Home arrangements and their caregivers.
✕Less likely to help
Veterans not participating in MFH programs or those for whom CNH remains the most appropriate option.
What this research studies
This project compares Medical Foster Home care to Community Nursing Home care to see how costs and care quality differ for Veterans. It looks at how the effort and experience of MFH coordinators influence cost savings and patient safety culture within VA programs. Researchers will analyze program data, caregiver practices, and VA patient outcomes to understand cost implications and potential benefits for patients and families. The focus is on real-world care settings with Veterans who depend on VA HBPC and live in MFHs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could support broader use of MFHs to reduce costs while maintaining or improving care for Veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Prior evidence suggests MFHs can be less costly than CNHs, but current estimates and the impact of coordinator effort require clearer understanding.
Where this research is happening
-
James J Peters VA Medical Center
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Intrator, Orna — James J Peters VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Intrator, Orna
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.