Key points
After nearly six decades of marriage, Carol and John have seen each other through life’s many changes and transitions. But as they aged, some of the health challenges they faced introduced new complications.
John was diagnosed first with diabetes and then with Parkinsonism syndrome, leaving him reliant on a wheelchair. It brought significant adjustments to the life the couple had made together.
As members of a Medicare Advantage health plan that works with Signify Health, Carol and John were able to take advantage of In-Home Health Evaluations (IHEs). These IHEs, conducted in the home by experienced physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in Signify Health’s clinician network, are offered at no cost to eligible members. IHEs are a valuable health service to ensure that people are getting the care, screening and follow-up support they need.
Spending meaningful time to see the full picture of one’s health
“With Signify Health, I really like the fact that my husband and I see them together,” Carol said. “They spend time with us talking about our general well-being, rather than when we go to a doctor, and they focus on some specific issue.”
This overall approach to health is core to the IHE experience, where a Signify Health clinician spends meaningful time with people, discussing their health history and answering health questions, taking vitals and performing screenings for chronic conditions, reviewing medications and observing any potential safety risks within the home.
“Our goal is making sure that people can enjoy a high quality of life with the personalized support that makes sense for them – and that means taking the time to understand their specific needs and challenges,” said Dr. Heidi Schwarzwald, Signify Health’s chief medical officer. “IHEs generally last longer than the average doctor’s appointment and our clinicians can uncover more than 300 clinical and social data points about that person’s health. With this information and insight, we can work with these individuals and their primary care providers to reengage them in their care and give them the practical solutions they need to be as healthy as possible.”
A visit that makes a difference
Working with Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Commercial health plans, Signify Health helps health plans bridge gaps in their members’ care, improve health outcomes and lower health care costs.
Every year, Signify Health clinicians spend millions of hours engaging members like Carol and John in meaningful ways about their health. These visits uncover needs that might otherwise go unnoticed and strengthen connections between members, their health plans and their broader care teams. After every in-home visit, a summary is shared with the member, their health plan and primary care provider. If a member needs help finding a primary care provider or a case management referral, Signify Health care coordinators can help bridge that gap.
“With every visit, we help members take steps toward healthier and more independent living. At the same time, we’re enabling providers and health plans to develop a comprehensive picture of their members’ health needs and risks," said Marcus Lanznar, president of Signify Health. "We’re intentional about the value we bring to our clients and their members and will continue creating solutions that emphasize prevention and closing gaps in care to support healthier people and communities.”
Building confidence and empowering better health
For Carol and John, having someone come into their home and talk about their health and well-being in a comfortable and familiar environment not only helped ensure their health needs were being met, but it also helped open important lines of communication between them.
“I think after 58 years, it’s good to hear each other tell someone else what their concerns are,” Carol explained. “By listening to us directly answer someone else about our health, it helps us understand what each one of us was going through.”
Since an IHE starts with a conversation between the member and clinician, there’s a greater opportunity to explore those more subtle and easily overlooked health challenges which may not come up organically during a traditional office visit with a doctor.
For instance, during one IHE, a Signify Health nurse practitioner learned that Carol was experiencing emotional and mental challenges. Carol had been feeling overwhelmed and anxious, in part because of her caregiving responsibilities. The nurse practitioner listened to Carol’s concerns and encouraged her to talk with her primary care provider about these feelings, so she could receive the additional support she needed.
And they’re not alone – 70% of individuals who have experienced an IHE say they would do it again, underscoring the value of in-home health assessments. By completing an IHE with Signify Health, Carol and John gained a clearer picture of their health and what they may need next – giving them greater confidence and peace of mind moving forward in their health journeys.