AAHomecare Launches Study to Measure NIV Impact

For Immediare Release - July 10, 2024

AAHomecare is spearheading a research effort to quantify the differences in outcomes and overall treatment costs for patients with significant respiratory challenges who receive non-invasive ventilation (NIV) therapy versus patients who do not utilize NIV.

The research is designed to determine the benefits of this therapy using CMS’ own data, potentially providing authoritative data to underpin advocacy to strengthen patient access to NIV.

“This important effort stems from discussions at last year’s Board Strategic Planning Session on how we can limit delays and denials for patients who can benefit from NIV,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president & CEO “Our leaders believe this is an area where credible data on outcomes and overall costs will make a strong impression on policymakers and payers.”

The research program will consist of two retrospective cohort studies on patients covered by Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) and Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries. The study population will include individuals with a diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and/or Chronic Respiratory Failure (COPD-CRF) and will utilize 100% of the FFS claims data and MA encounter data to compare outcomes of those beneficiaries with COPD and or CRF who were put onto NIV within 2 months of diagnoses vs. those who were not. The study will also compare FFS against MA findings to determine any differences in utilization and outcomes.

AAHomecare has engaged Dobson Davanzo & Associates to undertake the research and analyze the results. Respiratory stakeholders, including clinicians and HME industry experts, will be involved in further development of the cohorts and will provide oversight into the study. Work will begin in earnest next week, and the project is expected to be completed in approximately 10 months.

contact: Gordon Barnes
gordonb@aahomcare.org
202-372-0759