A program launched by Humana and Wisdo Health for senior Medicare Advantage members with chronic health concerns not only reduced loneliness and isolation, but also saved more than $1,000 in medical costs per member.
A year-long digital health program launched by Humana is helping Medicare Advantage members address loneliness and isolation – and save more than $1,000 a year in medical costs.
The insurer partnered with social health company Wisdo Health on the program, which gave nearly 1,400 MA members aged 65 and older with multiple chronic conditions access to a peer support community and clinical referral platform. The platform uses AI to identify a member’s healthcare issues and match him/her to trained peers, weekly coaching sessions, and referrals to clinical and social determinant of health (SDOH) programs.
“Loneliness and lower engagement amongst Medicare populations have severe negative consequences on illness and medical costs,” Jennifer Spear, associate director of population health for Humana, said in a fact sheet on the program issued by the Wisdo Health. “Our pilot with Wisdo Health demonstrated that providing access to well-designed peer-to-peer networks can reduce loneliness, improve quality of life, and help identify and act on opportunities to connect members to clinical and community resources.”
It can also save money and improve clinical outcomes. According to Human and Wisdo Health and based on claims data, the program reduced patient visits to a care provider by 10%, while cutting ED visits by 4% and urgent care visits by 6%. That translated to a $1,020 reduction in medical costs per enrolled member per year.
Just as important is the program’s effect on loneliness and isolation, a key SDOH that translates to $6.7 billion in annual costs for MA plans, according to the AARP. Surveys estimate that some 40% of seniors are impacted by loneliness.
In addition, Humana and Wisdo Health officials said, participants reported an average of 22 gaps in care or related health concerns tied to loneliness, including sleep problems, nutrition issues, side effects with medications, challenges with diabetes care, financial worries and grief.
According to Humana and Wisdo Health, the program reduced the number of “mentally and physically unhealthy” days among participants by 34%, with almost 60% of participants seeing an improvement within 90 days and 13% no longer screening for loneliness. In addition, 42% of those taking part in the program said they wanted to continue when the year-long pilot had concluded, and 92% said they would recommend the program to others.
Some 1,374 Humana members qualified for the program, which is aimed at MA members ages 65-80 with at least one chronic condition and at least one Emergency Department visit or inpatient admission within the past 12 months, and who have screened positive for loneliness.
Eric Wicklund is the Innovation and Technology Editor for HealthLeaders.
Source link
