Emergency Department Use and Health Care Expenditures Among Older Adults at End-of-Life
2024
Emergency Department Use and Health Care Costs for Older Adults at End-of-Life
Sample size: 3812
publication
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Gettel Cameron, Kitchen Courtney, Rothenberg Craig, Song Yuxiao, Venkatesh Arjun, Hastings Susan
Primary Institution: Yale University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Does emergency department use at end-of-life impact healthcare spending among older adults?
Conclusion
Emergency department visits at end-of-life significantly increase healthcare costs for older adults.
Supporting Evidence
- 16% of older adult decedents had ED visits in the final 7 days of life.
- 31.7% had ED visits in the final 30 days of life.
- 41.5% had ED visits in the final 90 days of life.
- 46.9% had ED visits in the final 180 days of life.
- Median total costs for those with ED visits in the final 30 days were $12,366.
Takeaway
When older people go to the emergency room before they die, it can cost a lot of money, showing that they might not be getting the right care at home.
Methodology
Pooled cross-sectional analysis using Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data.
Participant Demographics
Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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