For Medicare Beneficiaries With Dementia, ACO Participation Had No Impact On End-Of-Life Care Processes, Outcomes & Health Spending

The end-of-life care processes, outcomes, and spending for Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries who died after a dementia diagnosis were similar for those attributed to a Medicare Shared Savings Program accountable care organization (ACO) and those not attributed to an ACO, a study has found. The researchers also observed that people with dementia are at risk of receiving high-intensity care at the end of life that does not align with their preferences, and that this high-intensity care is high-cost care. Because the care, outcomes, and spending for those attributed to an ACO were no . . .