The comparative evaluation of California's multipurpose senior services project

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Services Research
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• The Multipurpose Senior Services Project (MSSP) was established to coordinate services for aged Medicaid recipients.
• Evaluating service coordination models is crucial for effective long-term care policy.
• Previous service systems lacked integrated case management for seniors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the MSSP case management model.
• To determine which populations benefit most from case management.
• To assess the costs and outcomes of coordinated senior services.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a case management model across eight California sites.
• Dynamic modeling to compare MSSP outcomes with a traditional service system.
• Development of a multivariate frailty measure to identify at-risk individuals.

Main Results:

• MSSP increased longevity and decreased nursing home and hospital days.
• The frailest clients experienced the most significant positive outcomes and cost savings.
• In-home supportive services were most effective within the MSSP model.

Conclusions:

• Case management through MSSP is an effective strategy for improving health outcomes in aged Medicaid recipients.
• Targeting case management to the frailest seniors maximizes efficiency and public savings.
• The developed frailty measure can guide the identification of individuals likely to benefit from case management.