Utilization and Costs of Mobile Medical Units for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness.
Yoon, Jean; Chow, Adam; Weber, Jillian J.; Wong, Emily P.; Blonigen, Daniel M.; Tsai, Jack
Why this matters
Higher engagement can raise costs even when a mobile program is working as intended. Among 2,700 veterans experiencing homelessness across 24 sites, mobile unit users had more primary care, homeless program, and mental health case management visits, along with $1,724 more in total costs per quarter than usual care.
Abstract
This longitudinal cohort study examined early association between VA MMU implementation and healthcare utilization for 2,700 veterans experiencing homelessness at 24 HPACT sites. Patients using MMU care had increases in primary care visits, homeless program visits, and mental health intensive case management, and increased total costs ($1,724 per quarter) compared with usual care. MMUs may be an effective modality to reach veterans experiencing homelessness with access barriers.