Weekly touch calls with high-risk cohort of patients with commercial Medicare Advantage to reduce avoidable hospital admissions.

282 Background: Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer have an increased risk of complications and potential hospitalization instances. Those in more advanced age groups have an additional risk, especially those of the age group of 65 and higher. Avoidable hospitalizations increase the total cost of care and decrease patient quality of life during treatment. Methods: To reduce potentially avoidable hospital admissions, patients enrolled in a commercial insurance contract were reviewed weekly for a high-risk potential. Criteria for high-risk inclusion included: Any patient >75 years of age receiving treatment; Any patient receiving chemotherapy/radiation combination therapy; Any patient with the following diagnosis: Metastatic lung cancer, Metastatic pancreatic cancer, Multiple myeloma, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer with multiple HCC; Any patient receiving: Cisplatin, Adriamycin, Taxanes, Ifosfimide, Doxorubicin, or Carbo with AUC 4 or greater; Any patient that has had one visit to ER/hospital during the program During the recording period, the high-risk list of patients was reviewed weekly. Before the weekend, each patient identified was contacted by phone by a registered nurse for a weekly “touch call” to address side effects, treatment questions, complications, or concerns. Patients were reminded to contact the practice first when a non-life-threatening concern occurs. Results: The program began on April 1, 2020, with a baseline admission rate of 1.8%. At the conclusion of the program on March 31st, 2023, this cohort of patients had a 53.1% reduction in admission rates from their baseline. Additionally, the reimbursement PPPM was under target yearly, concluding at $65.64, $14.46 below the target amount of $80. The cohort consisted of a range of 36-75 patients per quarter, program total of 185 enrolled patients. Conclusions: Identifying potentially high-risk patients and conducting weekly, personalized calls before the weekend reduced the overall avoidable admission rate. Timely identification and support for high-risk patients reduces the total cost of care and potentially increases patient care quality during treatment. Period Practice Inpatient Admits per 1000 Benchmark Target Target Difference Targeted Reimbursement PPPM Actual Reimbursement PPPM Reimbursement Difference 2020 Q1 1.8% 754 378 $80 2020 Q4 -17.9% 680 233 $80 $75.56 -$4.44 2021 Q4 -31.5% 622 3 $80 $66.66 -$13.34 2022 Q4 -51.3% 602 -235 $80 $65.64 -$14.46