Table 1 Assumptions used for the CHTP cost analysis
Baseline estimate | Low range estimate | High range estimate | Data source/assumption notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3-month program implementation staff time (hours) | Study records, team interview for all staff effort estimates | |||
Central program manager | 112 | 100 | 168 | Conducts training, implementation and supports all sites |
Transitions nurse (RN) | 40 | 40 | 60 | At each VAMC site; trained by central program manager |
Backup transitions nurse (RN) | 20 | - | 30 | At each VAMC site; trained by central program manager |
Medical social worker (SW) | 20 | - | 40 | At 1 VAMC site; trained by central program manager |
IT professional | 50 | 50 | 75 | Supports IVR/program IT needs (VA employee) |
Site champion (MD Service Chief) | 8 | 8 | 12 | Single site, recruited by central program |
12-month program operations staff time (hours) | Study records, team interviews | |||
Central program manager | 84 | 42 | 126 | Central program support once implemented |
Transitions nurse (RN) | 2088 | 522 | 2088 | 1.0 FTE for Site 1, 0.25 FTE for site 2 |
Backup transitions nurse (RN) | 522 | 209 | 1044 | 0.25 FTE (per site) |
Medical social worker (SW) | 0 | 0 | 1566 | 0.0 FTE for Site 1, 0.75 FTE for site 2 |
IT professional | 16 | 16 | 32 | Supports program IT needs (VA employee) |
Site champion (MD Service Chief) | 4 | 4 | 8 | Provides as-needed support to transitions team |
Other program cost assumptions | Data source/assumption notes | |||
SQL training for program manager | $700 | $700 | $1400 | 1 time cost (implementation phase); study records, interview, high estimate assumes 2 trainings |
Publicity materials for program | $3450 | $1725 | $6900 | 1 time (implementation phase), across sites, from study records and interview |
Equipment (iPad and phone) for site | $2800 | $2800 | $3600 | 1 time cost (implementation phase), per site, study records |
Travel Costs (in-person training) | $1257 | $0 | $2514 | 1 time cost (implementation phase), study records, baseline assumes 1 traveler per site, high estimate assumes 2 |
Medical records upload support | $200 | $200 | $400 | 1 time cost (implementation phase), team interview |
Veteran contact cards, per case | $1.50 | $1.50 per case, varies by number of cases per month | ||
VA provided space and equipment | 30% | VA overhead; assumed a fixed % of personnel costs | ||
Healthcare cost assumptions | ||||
Additional VA-based care | $96.30 | $0.00 | $ 160.00 | Supplementary File and Supplementary Tables |
Program staff wages ($/hour) | Hourly wage | Hourly wage + 30% fringe | ||
Central program manager | $29.80 | $38.74 | 75th percentile from BLS table, 2021 | |
Nurse (RN) | $46.91 | $60.98 | 75th percentile from BLS table, 2021 | |
Medical social worker (SW) | $36.98 | $48.07 | 75th percentile from BLS table, 2021 | |
IT professional | $38.57 | $50.14 | 75th percentile from BLS table, 2021 | |
Site champion (MD Service Chief) | $65.25 | $84.83 | MD Service Chief or Program Manager, 75th percentile from BLS table, 2021 | |
Discounting and inflation 5-year | Used for 5-year Projections | |||
Inflation rate, 2021 $ baseline year | 2.5% | BLS medical inflation (average, 2018–2023, excluding 2020 due to COVID-19 anomalies) | ||
Discount rate | 3.0% | https://icer.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ICER_2020_2023_VAF_102220.pdf | ||