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More than 50 years ago, the first nurse practitioner training program was developed at the University of Colorado. Upon completing advanced clinical training, registered nurses – who also have completed a master’s or doctoral degree program – assess patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, prescribe medications, and manage treatment plans. A half-century later, NPs have become an integral part of healthcare, expanding access to high-quality medical treatment in communities across the country.

A lot can happen in a short amount of time, especially when someone is really listening. Signify Health’s clinicians meet people where they’re most comfortable – in their homes, with time to listen and connect.

When President John F. Kennedy established Older Americans Month in 1963 there were just 17 million Americans over the age of 65. Today, that number is 54 million, and growing rapidly. Then as now, the needs of older Americans are too often not fully appreciated or acted upon.

While it’s no secret preventive measures are essential to keeping people healthy, many seniors wait for their annual wellness visit to gain updates on their health status. For individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes, preventive and diagnostic screenings and services provided as part of an In-Home Health Evaluation (IHE) can help fill the gap between office visits and serve as a hub for the continuum of care.

To fulfill its vision to achieve the highest level of health and well-being and to eliminate disparities in health care quality and access for all they serve, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) supports a range of initiatives designed to provide equitable, cost-effective, and person-centered care. This vision is ambitious, but achievable if all within the extended care team – and the organizations that support them – collectively embrace initiatives that meet the medical and nonmedical needs of beneficiaries in cost-effective ways.