The “new normal” of care is happening outside of the hospital.
New research from CareCentrix finds a majority of people want to receive care in the comfort of their own homes instead of a medical facility. Most payers, too, see the home as the safest and most cost-effective site of care.
According to the report, “Health-at-Home 2020: The New Standard of Care Delivery,” people want at-home options for many services and preventative measures, such as chronic disease management, nutrition assistance, physical therapy, sleep testing and treatment and mental health support.
Covid Accelerates Change
COVID-19 and new remote monitoring and care delivery technologies have accelerated the shift to health at home. But the report found the majority of consumers and payers began opening their doors to in-home care prior to the pandemic.
- Nearly half of respondents (46%) had a telehealth visit in the last year, and the vast majority of this group (82%) would use telehealth again.
- Two out of three people who have not used telehealth would be interested in using it for a future health care need.
- Nearly three-quarters of seniors expressed interest in future telehealth appointments.
When it comes to technology, 91% of payers said advancement in telehealth or remote care monitoring has prompted them to shift care into the home. Almost all of them said telehealth and remote monitoring have made it easier to provide continuous care in the home.
Building Payer-Partner Relationships
More than anything, payers want in-home care partners that can demonstrate cost reductions and provide smooth hospital-to-home transitions, according to the report.
Health plans want to transition more care to the home; they need partners to help open the door.
“We know that health plans want to transition more care to the home,” said Ashish V. Shah, Dina’s CEO. “But they’re going to need partners to help get them there. I believe they’re open to working with organizations that are willing to be partners and share data.”
- Of the payers surveyed, 49% said they have already increased the availability of at-home health care options for their members where possible.
- Nearly one in three are in the process of increasing at-home care options.
- Payers want partners that can control long-term costs and reach members wherever they’re located.
“We’re seeing the home emerge as one of today’s most important care settings,” said Shah. “We’ve seen that when services are organized around the home, it’s more affordable, more convenient, and it’s a better experience for the patient.”
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