Going Upstream: Addressing Fall Related Medicare Costs

In 2025 more people will turn 65 than in any other time in history. By 2040, more than 80 million Americans will be over age 65, placing new demands on healthcare delivery. With someone >65 visiting the emergency department (ED) every eight seconds (CDC) for a fall related injury, evidence based prevention will be important. To address this issue, healthcare organizations must balance high-quality, cost-effective care with workforce shortages, provider burnout, and evolving reimbursement models. This session examines how older adults experience healthcare and how prioritizing fall risk reduction and active aging can strengthen engagement, lower costs, improve outcomes, and sustain system viability. Led by leaders in geriatrics, health systems, population health, and patient engagement, this session offers practical approaches to reducing fall risk and advancing evidence-based, patient-centered programs.