Home health model is established with an objective to deliver high-quality care at each level of healthcare delivery chain. As we all know this is offered at the patient’s residence by either licensed health care providers or caregivers.
Home Health Agencies are certified centers that provide skilled care for older Americans, people with disabilities or for people who suffer from acute and chronic conditions.
There are about 83.7 Million people in the US who are benefiting through home health agencies.
As a result of this parallel growth of both aged population and chronic diseases, the need for optimum care delivery continues to grow.
For elder care help, CMS offers to pay home health agencies for providing 60 days of care under HHA PPS.
So, how does home health agencies get patients?
On the basis of illness or injury, doctors send people who need care services to home health. Mostly Medicare patients, people with 2 or more chronic conditions who need care after discharge will be shifted to home health immediately following hospitalization.
Patient-centric care is provided to see quick progress in their health considering the needs of the patient and doctor recommendations.
How does a care coordination model work?
Once a patient is referred, a care plan is set with goals to regain patient health status. Some home health agencies have started embracing technology platforms through which automated care plans can be generated using Care Management Software.
Care plans are set with goals and rolled out to patients. Health status will be continuously monitored by skilled professionals at regular intervals and if required changes will be made looking at real-time health data.
Both patient and the providers are equally involved in the care cycle and are expected to work together and achieve health goals to ensure patient recovery.
Multiple specialists will be connected in this care loop to better collaborate, communicate and coordinate care whenever there is a necessity or emergency.
Coaching will be given with the help of patient education tablets to connect and follow the care goals for quicker recovery. Home health also organizes a community meeting where people facing the same kind of illness will share their experiences to encourage and motivate to fight against chronic illness.
Telehealth Home Service
Many US seniors enjoy living independently at their own place and need a little help from providers when they get ill. Telehealth is a gift for those to improve their health thus promoting independent living.
Telehealth program is technology integrated with clinical care to change the healthcare delivery, model. Some healthcare providers have already implemented this telemonitoring service that will guide patients through a daily check-up, and also record vital signs and symptoms.
These details will be then sent to a central monitoring system, from where home health agencies will be receiving an alert in case of emergency.
Challenges faced by Home Health
Technology Changes
From Health Monitoring Systems to medication tracking devices, technology is expanding at ever-increasing speed and home health struggles to keep up that pace.
New technology is presenting new methods for providers, and of course, home health agencies to connect with their patients but this can also be problematic. From the cost involved in procuring such technologies to patients perception. Changing legal and regulatory climate around the use of technology in the field of healthcare adds to the problem.
Lack of care continuum
Among long-term care patients, 90 percent of them live in their own homes to avoid hospital environment. Increasing demands due to rising older population makes the delivery model challenging to provide affordable, continuous care and to meet the expected quality parameters.
Adapting to changes in government regulations and practices also influences the style of functioning of the system. Value-based physician reimbursement for improving quality and lack of skilled professionals are some of the areas that need immediate attention.
Employing technology can help in improving care delivery, and admittedly choosing the right solution that meets the needs of the practice is the key to success in the ever-changing healthcare environment.
HealthViewX Care Management Solution allows to create and send customized care plan for individual or group of patients to help manage the health of the whole population. Integrated telehealth feature enables provider to connect with patients quickly and track patient’s health condition remotely.
