# Integrated Dementia Care in the DementiaNet Program: Health Economic Reflections on Interpretation, Assessment, and Evaluation: Comment on "Effects of DementiaNet’s Community Care Network Approach on Admission Rates and Healthcare Costs: A Longitudinal Cohort Analysis"

## TL;DR

The DementiaNet program in the Netherlands reduces hospital admissions and costs for dementia patients by improving care coordination.

## Contribution

This commentary links DementiaNet's success to reduced information asymmetries and transaction costs in dementia care.

## Key findings

- Participation in DementiaNet was associated with fewer hospital admissions and care days.
- Outpatient healthcare expenditure increased while overall healthcare costs remained stable.
- Improved care coordination may shift costs from inpatient to outpatient care.

## Abstract

This commentary discusses the study by Remers et al. The authors analysed the impact of the Dutch DementiaNet programme on hospital admissions and healthcare costs for individuals with dementia. Using detailed claims data of over 38 000 insured individuals, the study found that participation in DementiaNet networks was associated with fewer hospital admissions and care days, as well as reduced hospital costs. Furthermore, participation in DementiaNet was linked to increased outpatient healthcare expenditure, while overall healthcare costs remained stable. This commentary seeks to place the findings within health economic theory. It posits that DementiaNet could reduce information asymmetries, transaction costs and disincentives in dementia care. Through its network- and primary care-based approach, DementiaNet plausibly improves care coordination, which might enable earlier interventions. This could account for the shift in costs from inpatient to outpatient care. Additionally, the commentary addresses methodological considerations, limitations, and directions for future research.