Home Care Can Cut AIDS Cost, Study Reveals

Patients suffering from complications of the AIDS virus can be treated at home for hundreds of dollars a day less than those who enter hospitals, according to preliminary results, released Monday, of a study of 131 Los Angeles AIDS patients.

Jack Little, director of the research division of AIDS Project Los Angeles, said that home nursing care for the patients costs an average of $71.65 a day, compared to $963 a day for AIDS patients in private hospitals.

Patients treated at home also received much-needed emotional support from friends and relatives, he said.

The results, confirming earlier studies, followed an eight-month study of patients enrolled in AIDS Project Los Angeles’ Home Health, Attendant and Hospice Care pilot project that began last May. Under the $1.1-million program, funded by the state, the 131 patients were supplied attendants and were also cared for by visiting nurses.

Overall, the state legislative analyst’s office has said that within four years, the public and private cost of drugs, physician services and hospital care for AIDS patients will range between $255 million and $406 million, a fourfold increase over last year’s spending.

Currently, an estimated 25% to 30% of AIDS patients depend on Medi-Cal to cover their medical bills, and health officials expect the percentage to grow in future years.