does advance care planning save money?

Introduction

Advance care planning (ACP) is a process that involves discussing and documenting future healthcare preferences in the event of losing decision-making capacity. It aims to improve the quality of care and ensure that medical treatments align with patients' wishes. Additionally, ACP is often considered a strategy to optimize healthcare resource utilization, particularly at the end of life.

Key Insights

Healthcare Savings:
- ACP is associated with healthcare savings, particularly by reducing the demand for hospital care in specific populations such as people with dementia, those in nursing homes, or regions with high end-of-life care spending .
- Several studies have reported reductions in costs of care ranging from USD 1,041 to USD 64,827 per patient, depending on the study period and cost measurement.
Cost-Effectiveness:
- ACP has shown potential cost-effectiveness, especially when considering the health-related quality of life for family carers. The cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained was found to be within acceptable thresholds for cost-effectiveness.
- Despite the potential for cost savings, the cost-effectiveness of ACP remains uncertain due to variations in how ACP is implemented and the populations it serves.
Cost Neutrality:
- Some studies indicate that ACP does not significantly affect the overall costs of medical care for certain groups, such as frail older adults in residential care homes.
- The costs of implementing ACP programs are relatively low, but the impact on overall healthcare costs can vary.

Conclusion

Advance care planning has the potential to save money by reducing hospital admissions and aligning care with patient preferences, particularly in specific populations. While some studies suggest significant cost savings, others indicate that the overall impact on healthcare costs may be neutral. The cost-effectiveness of ACP is promising but remains uncertain due to variations in implementation and beneficiary groups. Further research with robust methodologies is needed to clarify the economic benefits of ACP.

Does advance care planning save money?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

The economic evidence for advance care planning: Systematic review of evidence

Advance care planning may lead to healthcare savings for some individuals, but its cost-effectiveness and overall impact on healthcare resources require further research.

Exploring the cost-effectiveness of advance care planning (by taking a family carer perspective): Findings of an economic modelling study.

Advance care planning is probably cost-effective for older people at the end of life, with 55% (70%) probability of being cost-effective at a cost per quality-adjusted life year threshold of £20,000 (£30,000).

Does facilitated Advance Care Planning reduce the costs of care near the end of life? Systematic review and ethical considerations

Advance Care Planning may result in net cost savings, but more robust trials with clearly defined interventions are needed to confirm these findings.

Advance Care Planning for frail older adults: Findings on costs in a cluster randomised controlled trial

Advance Care Planning programs have limited costs and do not significantly affect medical care costs for frail older adults.

Advance care planning.

Advance care planning helps ensure that you receive the care you desire and eases the burden on loved ones when making health care decisions.

Advance care planning

Advance care planning (ACP) can improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, but barriers to its implementation remain.

The effects of advance care planning on end-of-life care: A systematic review

Advance care planning positively impacts end-of-life care quality, with complex interventions being more effective in meeting patients' preferences than written documents alone.

Advance care planning.

Advance care planning, a routine part of medical care, helps patients, their families, and healthcare professionals prepare for future medical care needs.

Discussing Advance Care Planning With Elderly Patients

Advance care planning with elderly patients maximizes their chances of receiving the care they want and minimizes confusion, but requires honest discussion, time, and persistence.

Advance Care Planning: Contemporary Issues and Future Directions

Advance care planning can improve end-of-life care quality, but addressing race and socioeconomic disparities requires public policies and community programs.

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