Association of a Medicare Advantage Posthospitalization Home Meal Delivery Benefit With Rehospitalization and Death

Top Things to Know

Home-delivered meals posthospitalization can significantly reduce rehospitalization and mortality rates.

The benefit was more pronounced in non-heart failure patients compared to heart failure patients.

The study highlights the importance of nutritional support in improving health outcomes for older adults.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

The study evaluated the impact of a 4-week posthospitalization home-delivered meals benefit on 30-day rehospitalization and mortality rates among Medicare Advantage members. The study found that patients who received home-delivered meals had significantly lower odds of 30-day rehospitalization and death compared to those who did not receive meals. Specifically, for heart failure patients, the odds were reduced by 45% compared to the 2021/2022 cohort. For non-heart failure patients, the odds were reduced by 52% compared to the 2021/2022 cohort.