1. Healthcare Utilization and Research to Support Your Value Proposition
Brenda Schmitthenner, MPA
Meals on Wheels America Pre-Conference Workshop
August 30, 2016

2. Policy research and advocacy
We are all about outcomes and high-impact partnerships to make a significant impact
Outcomes-based
philanthropy
Applied medical
research
Policy research and advocacy

3. Our successful aging mission is enabling seniors to live their lives on their own terms, with access to high-quality health and support services that preserve and protect one’s dignity, quality of life and independence.

4. Research Studies: Quantifying the Impact of Meals on Wheels (MOW) Services
More Than a Meal (completed)
Brown University, Meals on Wheels America (MOWA) and AARP Foundation
Aim: Identify impact of home-delivered meals on self-reported health and well-being.
More Than a Meal Phase 2 (ongoing)
Brown University, MOWA, Gary and Mary West Foundation
Aim: Identify if seniors who receive home-delivered meals from MOW programs have lower healthcare cost and institutionalization.
More Than a Meal Phase 3 (ongoing)
Gary and Mary West Health Institute, Brown University and MOWA
Aim: Understand the workflow and capabilities of MOW programs, and identify the perspective of healthcare providers and payers in partnering with MOW programs.

5. A senior who receives or requests Meals on Wheels services is significantly more vulnerable than the average American senior

6. A senior who receives daily-delivered meals experiences the greatest improvements in health and quality of life compared to a senior who receives frozen, weekly-delivered or no meals at all.

7. When compared with a senior who receives just frozen meals only once a week, a senior who receives daily-delivered meals is more likely to:
A senior who lives alone and receives daily-delivered meals is less likely to worry about being able to remain at home and to have feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Meals on Wheels America’s 15-week study involving more than 600 seniors participants was conducted by Brown University’s Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research and funded by AARP Foundation.

8. More Than a Meal Phase 2 – Healthcare Utilization Study
Research Question: How do healthcare costs and utilization differ between seniors receiving daily-delivered meals, visits and check-ins compared to a similar group of community-dwelling seniors who do not receive the home-delivered meals?
Hypothesis: Daily home-delivered meals from MOW programs are associated with lower healthcare utilization and lower cost.
Study Aims:
Determine if seniors who receive meals from MOW programs are at decreased risk for hospitalization, ED visits, and nursing home placement.
Determine if seniors who receive meals from MOW programs have lower healthcare costs when compared to a similar group of community-dwelling seniors who do not receive the home-delivered meals.

9. More Than a Meal Phase 3
Research Aim 1: Understand the current safety and wellness checks that are performed daily by MOW drivers as part of the home-delivered meal service.
Conducted site visits and interviews of volunteers and staff to identify processes and components of the daily safety and wellness check.
Research Aim 2: Identify the perspective of healthcare payer and providers about the value of daily safety and wellness check performed by MOW programs.
Conduct interviews with healthcare executives, healthcare consultants and healthcare providers.
Identify opportunities to enhance services that align with healthcare.

10. Observations – What are you seeing?
The Power of Your Data
Collect health-
related data
Observations – What are you seeing?
Name of insurance provider (Payer)
PCP
Health conditions
Condition of the environment
Caregiver information
Physical appearance
Cognitive changes
Mood or behavior changes
Indications of abuse or neglect

11. Leveraging Data and Study Outcomes to Create Your Value Proposition
Conduct a landscape analysis and learn who is accountable for healthcare costs and outcomes in your region.
Make and leverage connections - six degrees of separation.
Identify pain points for targeted healthcare payer or provider.
Use internal and external data and outcomes (including research studies) in your value proposition to demonstrate your ROI and solutions to pain points.
Be prepared to modify your service package.

12. Thank you! gmwf.org | @GMWFoundation westhealth.org | @WestHealth