Research published in BMC Geriatrics and Population Health Management has found that increased access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is linked to significant savings on health care for low-income, older US citizens. The study found that Maryland-based Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in SNAP were 14 percent less likely to go to the hospital and 23 percent less likely to be sent to a nursing home in the following 12 months. The research analyzed the population of community-dwelling seniors aged 65 and older in Maryland who received both Medicare and Medicaid benefits, cross-referenced with data on SNAP enrollees and Medicaid and Medicare claims data from 2009 to 2012. At present, only 42 percent of those seniors eligible for SNAP are enrolled. Expanding benefits to cover 5.5 million senior citizens who are eligible but are not enrolled in SNAP could tackle the vital determinants of health and move the system to value-based care, while delivering Triple Aim commitments. Working with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Medicaid-managed care organizations and other health care providers to invest upstream, seniors can better age in place and remain in economically stable communities. It would also save significant funds; for Maryland, dual-eligible seniors who were not enrolled in SNAP would generate nursing home savings of $34 million and inpatient hospital savings of $19 million annually. The total savings would be up to $2,120 for each low-income senior on SNAP in the 12 months after enrollment. These savings can be achieved by utilizing administrative data, working with state policy options, and establishing cross-sector links to expand SNAP participation. Lower income elderly adults suffer greatly from food insecurity, as it affects both their physical and mental health. They are more likely to suffer from heart failure, heart disease, depression and asthma, conditions that are food-sensitive. At present, 9.8m older US citizens live with food insecurity, with the rate predicted to increase to include chronically unwell adults with complex requirements. The increase will likely be a large proponent of higher health care spending. Unmet social needs such as access to nutritious food have been proven to cause poor health outcomes, expensive and frequent hospital visits, and increased nursing home admittance rates. This article about the number of the most people need for chronic diseases like diabetes, diabetes and high blood pressure on the risk factors including cardiovascular disease prevention and diabetes. We and our coauthors analyzed the entire population of community-dwelling seniors (ages 65 and older) in the state of Maryland who received both Medicare and Medicaid (known as dual eligibles). A broad benefit intervention would provide vital improvements for seniors' health and offer health expense cost savings rapidly following enrollment. By streamlining data management, HHS agencies can also expand access and enrolment across benefit programs. Utilizing existing programs such as the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) could reduce barriers for senior access to and retention of SNAP. By working on “upstream” social issues such as food insecurity, many problems treated through healthcare can be solved at once.
Research published in BMC Geriatrics and Population Health Management has found that increased access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is linked to significant savings on health care for low-income, older US citizens. The study found that Maryland-based Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in SNAP were 14 percent less likely to go to the hospital and 23 percent less likely to be sent to a nursing home in the following 12 months. The research analyzed the population of community-dwelling seniors aged 65 and older in Maryland who received both Medicare and Medicaid benefits, cross-referenced with data on SNAP enrollees and Medicaid and Medicare claims data from 2009 to 2012. At present, only 42 percent of those seniors eligible for SNAP are enrolled. Expanding benefits to cover 5.5 million senior citizens who are eligible but are not enrolled in SNAP could tackle the vital determinants of health and move the system to value-based care, while delivering Triple Aim commitments. Working with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Medicaid-managed care organizations and other health care providers to invest upstream, seniors can better age in place and remain in economically stable communities. It would also save significant funds; for Maryland, dual-eligible seniors who were not enrolled in SNAP would generate nursing home savings of $34 million and inpatient hospital savings of $19 million annually. The total savings would be up to $2,120 for each low-income senior on SNAP in the 12 months after enrollment. These savings can be achieved by utilizing administrative data, working with state policy options, and establishing cross-sector links to expand SNAP participation. Lower income elderly adults suffer greatly from food insecurity, as it affects both their physical and mental health. They are more likely to suffer from heart failure, heart disease, depression and asthma, conditions that are food-sensitive. At present, 9.8m older US citizens live with food insecurity, with the rate predicted to increase to include chronically unwell adults with complex requirements. The increase will likely be a large proponent of higher health care spending. Unmet social needs such as access to nutritious food have been proven to cause poor health outcomes, expensive and frequent hospital visits, and increased nursing home admittance rates. This article about the number of the most people need for chronic diseases like diabetes, diabetes and high blood pressure on the risk factors including cardiovascular disease prevention and diabetes. A broad benefit intervention would provide vital improvements for seniors' health and offer health expense cost savings rapidly following enrollment. By streamlining data management, HHS agencies can also expand access and enrolment across benefit programs. Utilizing existing programs such as the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) could reduce barriers for senior access to and retention of SNAP. By working on “upstream” social issues such as food insecurity, many problems treated through healthcare can be solved at once.