Prospective budgeting for home care: making titration work

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Economics

Background:

• Home care services require robust budgeting models for efficient resource allocation.
• Existing models may present logical and operational challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a plausible, coherent, and flexible prospective budgeting model for home care.
• To define data requirements and statistical frameworks for model calibration.
• To serve as a practical decision-making template for home care management.

Main Methods:

• Application of standard risk-neutral expected value theory.
• Utilization of cost-benefit analysis.
• Employment of the conditional logistic probability model.

Main Results:

• A simple, effective prospective budgeting model was developed.
• The model provides analytic scaffolding for a decision support system.
• Potential for improved program equity, efficiency, and effectiveness in home care.

Conclusions:

• The proposed framework addresses limitations of the Weissert, Chernew, and Hirth Titration Budgeting Model.
• It offers a pathway to meet the goals of titration models with improved resource allocation.
• The model facilitates more efficient allocation of home care resources.