Abstract P388: Assessment of a Tailored Peer Mentoring Program Among Medicare Advantage Members With Hypertension

Abstract

Introduction: Disparities in access to care coupled with chronic conditions that represent 70% of healthcare spending, highlight the importance of accessible support beyond in-person primary care. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of a virtual peer mentoring program, in which individuals who have successfully managed to live with hypertension serve as peer mentors to individuals with the same condition. We measured clinical improvement through possible blood pressure (BP) reductions as well as program engagement and satisfaction among study participants. Methods: The study consisted of 451 participants enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan with hypertension and/or a recent systolic BP reading ≥140 mmHg. Participants were matched with a peer mentor and provided with virtual one-on-one engagement based on their hypertension management challenges. The program was defined as feasible if the average monthly engagement rate over the 6-month study period was at least 70%. A one-sample proportion test was used to determine feasibility and the Wilcoxon signed rank test assessed changes in BP between the first month and the sixth month after enrollment. Descriptive statistics were generated from the exit survey upon program completion. Results: The average monthly engagement rate was greater than 70% (p < 0.001), indicating program feasibility. 116 individuals (25.7%) had a baseline systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg, or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg with both first and sixth month BP data. In this cohort, we found statistically significant median reductions in systolic BP >5 mmHg (-7.5 mmHg; p=0.003) as well as diastolic BP (-3.9 mmHg; p<0.001). The program received high satisfaction with a net promoter score of 79. Conclusion: This study showed a virtual peer mentoring program for individuals with hypertension is feasible. Both systolic and diastolic BP improved in the peer-matched group suggesting a beneficial intervention. In addition, the exit survey responses indicated satisfactory and positive experiences in this peer mentoring program.