Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting Propensity Score using the Military Health System Data Repository and National Death Index
Published on: January 8, 2020
Adding Functional Ability Measures to a Mortality Algorithm to Support Palliative Care Eligibility Decisions
Elizabeth A Luth1,2, Carlin Brickner3, Harivony Rakotoarivelo3
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Purpose:
To codify functional ability measures using administrative claims data to identify individuals for palliative care and examine their associations with mortality.
Method:
A retrospective cohort analysis of July 2022-June 2023 administrative claims data for 6,625 Medicare Advantage plan enrollees identified functional ability measures-activities of daily living (ADL), feeding and respiratory support, physical therapy and occupational therapy (PT/OT), and skilled nursing-as key mortality predictors. Logistic regression tested associations between functional ability and mortality.
Results:
One hundred eighty-six (4.6%) individuals died during the study period. PT/OT services were associated with lower odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratio = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [0.65, 0.85]). ADL support, skilled nursing, and pain management were associated with higher odds of mortality.
Conclusion:
Attention to whether a seriously ill individual is receiving PT/OT, ADL support, or skilled nursing may help make timely referrals to palliative care.
Related Concept Videos
Kaplan-Meier Approach
Cancer Survival Analysis
Actuarial Approach
Consider the example of a high-risk surgical procedure with significant early-stage mortality. A two-year clinical study is conducted,...
Comparing the Survival Analysis of Two or More Groups
Ethical Dilemmas II
Continuing Care

