Impact of Medicare payment changes on end-of-life care for Alzheimer's patients
Effect of Medicare Reimbursement for Care Planning on End of Life Care among Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: A Quasi-Experimental Study
This study looks at how changes in Medicare payments for planning end-of-life care might help patients with Alzheimer's and similar conditions get better support, focusing on whether these changes lead to more comfort-focused care instead of aggressive treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10897188 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how changes in Medicare reimbursement for advance care planning affect the end-of-life care provided to patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It focuses on understanding the impact of new billing codes introduced in 2016 and 2017 that encourage discussions about patient preferences for care. By analyzing national Medicare claims data, the study aims to identify whether these policy changes lead to less aggressive treatments and increased use of hospice and palliative care for patients with cognitive impairments. The findings could help improve care planning and decision-making for patients nearing the end of life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who are enrolled in Medicare.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage Alzheimer's or those not enrolled in Medicare may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved end-of-life care for Alzheimer's patients, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and enhancing the quality of life during their final days.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that advance care planning can significantly improve end-of-life care outcomes, suggesting that this approach may also be effective in this context.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Jing — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Li, Jing
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 below.