Here are four observations:
1. UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan members who used the HouseCalls program experienced up to 14 percent fewer hospital admissions in the year after the home visit, compared to other members enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans.
2. For those enrolled in the program, physician office visits increased by 2 percent to 6 percent.
3. Optum’s HouseCalls involves healthcare providers using electronic tablets with patient clinical data to assess and treat health conditions.
4. “This study shows that our in-home-based care model is helping seniors access the care they need and preempts costly hospitalizations and nursing home admissions,” said Kristy Duffey, APRN, Optum’s senior vice president of clinical operations for HouseCalls and Complex Care Management.
More articles on quality & infection control:
CPR survival rates differ by state — 5 takeaways
Maintaining infection control compliance in ASCs — Key strategies
Harrison Medical Center honored for patient safety: 3 highlights
