Work

Adding Functional Ability Measures to a Mortality Algorithm to Support Palliative Care Eligibility Decisions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: To codify functional ability measures using administrative claims data to identify individuals for palliative care and examine their associations with mortality. METHOD: A retrospective cohort analysis of July 2022-June 2023 administrative claims data for 6,625 Medicare Advantage plan enrollees identified functional ability measures-activities of daily living (ADL), feeding and respiratory support, physical therapy and occupational therapy (PT/OT), and skilled nursing-as key mortality predictors. Logistic regression tested associations between functional ability and mortality. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-six (4.6%) individuals died during the study period. PT/OT services were associated with lower odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratio = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [0.65, 0.85]). ADL support, skilled nursing, and pain management were associated with higher odds of mortality. CONCLUSION: Attention to whether a seriously ill individual is receiving PT/OT, ADL support, or skilled nursing may help make timely referrals to palliative care.

Source: Research in Gerontological Nursing

DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20250522-01

Authors: Elizabeth A. Luth, Carlin Brickner, Harivony Rakotoarivelo, Oude Gao, Kathryn H. Bowles

Institutions: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, VNS Health, University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences