Aco status associated with reports of meals on wheels in hospitals in 2017

Abstract

Hospitals’ approaches to increased value may include taking part in payment programs, such as those relating to accountable care organizations (ACOs), and addressing social determinants of health. We conduct a cross-sectional study using 2017 American Hospital Association Annual Survey and Area Health Resource File data to examine hospitals that are in ACOs and offer Meals on Wheels. Of 3,992 hospitals in 2017, 27.4% took part in only ACOs, 8.4% took part in Meals on Wheels only, and 11.2% were part of both. In adjusted models, hospitals in ACOs had 1.94 higher odds of having Meals on Wheels programs compared with hospitals not in ACOs (95% CI 1.58–2.38). In an exploratory analysis, we found no associations between 30-day inpatient Medicare costs and ACO status or Meals on Wheels. Some hospital strategies to increase value may extend beyond traditional medical care to social services.