STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES IN OUTCOMES FOR DUAL-ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS IN ASSISTED LIVING

Abstract

Abstract We examined the association of AL residents’ dual-eligibility and the concentration of dually eligible residents in AL communities with residents’ risk of hospitalization and long-term nursing home admission. The exposure was dual status interacted with AL concentration: no-duals, minority-duals [<=50%] (reference group), and majority-duals [>50%]. We found that duals in AL have higher risk of hospitalization and nursing home admission than non-duals. For both duals and non-duals, moving to an AL with a high concentration of duals conferred excess risk of hospitalization. Among duals, however, lower concentration of duals in ALs increases risk of long-term nursing home admission for duals, whereas it is protective for non-duals. The association of higher hospitalization with concentration of duals suggests that quality may be a concern in communities that specialize in care for duals. However, majority-duals ALs may be better equipped to provide more comprehensive care as an alternative to nursing homes.