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Press Releases
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Press ReleaseIBC Launches New Pilot: Doctors On Call 24-7 for Home Visits to Keystone 65 Members24/7 access to doctors is designed to improve quality of care and reduce medical costs Philadelphia, PA - March 20, 2007 - For many chronically ill, elderly people, having a doctor available around the clock for house calls is a phenomenon of days long gone, or perhaps a rare stroke of luck. But an innovative pilot program from Independence Blue Cross now makes that good fortune a reality for participating members. Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is piloting an unusual health care program for up to 500 Keystone 65 Medicare Advantage members that offers around-the-clock house calls. The program was developed by Care Level Management, a national company that employs local physicians who make house calls for chronically ill people who are at high risk for medical complications. IBC is the first company to offer this pilot in the Philadelphia region. The intent of the pilot is to improve the quality of health care for seniors so they avoid unnecessary complications and resulting emergency room or hospital visits, reducing the expense of the care and treatment of the most severely, chronically ill people. Medicare estimates this population to include about 1.5 million Americans. “IBC is committed to exploring innovative health care solutions that help our members access quality care as quickly, efficiently and as easily as possible,” says Dr. I. Steven Udvarhelyi, IBC chief medical officer. “This pilot program offering seniors care in their own homes will show us the impact of proactively reaching out to chronically ill Medicare members, who are among our most vulnerable members. We believe this will help us improve seniors’ quality of care today, and ultimately help us better serve seniors in the future.” In addition to reducing unnecessary ER visits and patient’s health care costs, including co-pays, co-insurance and other related expenses such as ambulance transportation, medications and hospital specialists, the program aims to provide consistent medical care, making doctors available for services at times when traditional in-office care may be impractical. “We are thrilled to partner with Independence Blue Cross and bring this program to some of the neediest senior patients in the Delaware Valley,” said Oliver Goldsmith, M.D., president of Care Level Management, which developed the program they have branded the Personal Visiting PhysicianTM system of care. “As we have seen in other cities, this program builds closer doctor-patient relationships and reduces the need for the frailest patients to unnecessarily visit emergency rooms or have extended hospital stays, and instead allows them caring, focused attention in the familiarity of their homes.” How the Pilot Works Participating members are matched with a board-certified CLM visiting physician. This physician makes routine home visits, monthly on average, to perform physical examinations, reinforce medication compliance, and evaluate a patient’s overall health status. The doctor is also available at any time by cell phone for home visits, should a member experience a more acute medical issue, such as a complication after surgery, a fall, or an adverse drug reaction. CLM is a participating provider with IBC and all physicians in the pilot are part of IBC’s network. The criteria for enrollment in the pilot include members who have at least two chronic conditions (such as heart disease and diabetes), and who have been hospitalized at least twice within the past 12 months. IBC will review and analyze treatment patterns, utilization, and associated medical costs to assess the program's overall impact. Because of the nature of their illnesses, severely, chronically ill people usually see several physicians, take many medications and are more likely than most people to have acute medical episodes that could require hospitalization. The visiting physician helps improve overall coordination of care by partnering with the patient’s current team of physicians, including the primary care physician, and by regularly communicating about treatment and any changes in the member’s medical condition. The visiting physician does not replace, but rather complements, the relationship a member has with his or her primary care physician. Dr. Robert Solomon, a family physician in the Philadelphia region, says he welcomes the added care his patients receive through the pilot. “This program has proven particularly valuable for a patient of mine with several chronic conditions, and who needs almost daily care to prevent her symptoms from getting out of control and requiring hospitalization,” said Dr. Solomon. “In addition, this patient often has difficulty getting to and from her doctor appointments, so having a physician from Care Level Management come to her home has benefited her greatly. I appreciate the co-management that this collegial service provides,” he continues. “It helps me do my job, which is to take the best possible care of my patients.” About Independence Blue Cross About Care Level Management In September 2005, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid awarded Care Level Management a three-year contract for their in-home health care model to test the effects of increased access and quality of care to chronically ill elderly, and to study the effects of doctor house calls on cost savings to Medicare. Over the company’s six-year history the program has reduced acute hospital admission by an average of 60 percent.
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