Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Language

English

Publication Date

3-1-2026

Journal

The American Journal of Managed Care

DOI

10.37765/ajmc.2026.89899

PMID

41886342

Abstract

Objectives: Medication reconciliation post discharge may reduce readmission risk in populations with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. We aimed to evaluate the association between hyperpolypharmacy and 30-day readmissions; determine the impact of postdischarge care on 30-day readmissions; and identify interactions among hyperpolypharmacy, postdischarge care, and 30-day readmissions in 2 Medicare populations: individuals 65 years and older and individuals of any age with a qualifying disability.

Study design: Retrospective observational study using the 5% national sample Medicare fee-for-service claims data from 2016 to 2019.

Methods: We used descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equation models adjusted for covariates to assess the relationships among hyperpolypharmacy, 30-day readmissions, and receipt of intervention (medical care) via an evaluation and management visit or transitional care management (TCM) visit.

Results: Hyperpolypharmacy and readmissions were higher in the disability-eligible than age-eligible group. Receiving any postdischarge care lowered the readmission risk in both groups, with particularly lower odds for those receiving TCM. Hyperpolypharmacy at admission increased readmission risk by 25% and 6% in the age-eligible and disability-eligible groups without a postdischarge visit, respectively, and by 24% and 2% when postdischarge hyperpolypharmacy was used as the primary predictor. Results were inconsistent across study groups when comparing hyperpolypharmacy effects by postdischarge visit type. Among individuals with hyperpolypharmacy, only 14.8% in the age-eligible group and 10.5% in the disability-eligible group received TCM.

Conclusions: Receipt of postdischarge ambulatory care was associated with lower odds of readmission; however, TCM-assisted postdischarge care may be underutilized, especially in the disability-eligible group. Cost-utility analysis studies are needed to demonstrate the value of postdischarge care, especially TCM, across different groups.

Keywords

United States, Humans, Patient Readmission, Retrospective Studies, Female, Medicare, Polypharmacy, Aged, Male, Patient Discharge, Aged, 80 and over, Medication Reconciliation, Fee-for-Service Plans

Published Open-Access

yes

Download

Included in

Public Health Commons

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.