A randomized trial examining the effect of predictive analytics and tailored interventions on the cost of care

• Published in: NPJ digital medicine 2021-06, Vol.4 (1), p.92-92, Article 92
• Main Authors: Nikolova-Simons, Mariana, Golas, Sara Bersche, den Buijs, Jorn op, Palacholla, Ramya S., Garberg, Gary, Orenstein, Allison, Kvedar, Joseph
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 692/308/2779/777; 692/308/409; 692/700/478; Biomedicine; Biotechnology; Costs; Digital technology; Health informatics; Intervention; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Older people; Predictive analytics
• ISSN: 2398-6352; 2398-6352
• DOI: 10.1038/s41746-021-00449-w

This two-arm randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of a Stepped-Care intervention (predictive analytics combined with tailored interventions) on the healthcare costs of older adults using a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS). A total of 370 patients aged 65 and over with healthcare costs in the middle segment of the cost pyramid for the fiscal year prior to their enrollment were enrolled for the study. During a 180-day intervention period, control group (CG) received standard care, while intervention group (IG) received the Stepped-Care intervention. The IG had 31% lower annualized inpatient cost per patient compared with the CG (3.7 K, $8.1 K vs. $11.8 K, p  = 0.02). Both groups had similar annualized outpatient costs per patient ($6.1 K vs. $5.8 K, p  = 0.10). The annualized total cost reduction per patient in the IG vs. CG was 20% (3.5 K, $17.7 K vs. $14.2 K, p  = 0.04). Predictive analytics coupled with tailored interventions has great potential to reduce healthcare costs in older adults, thereby supporting population health management in home or community settings.