Patients Benefit From Fewer Return Trips to the Hospital
HARTFORD, Conn., Dec. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CareCentrix announced today that its HomeSTAR® program has reduced hospital readmissions by nearly 20 percent for Aetna's (NYSE: AET) Florida commercial membership. The reduction in hospital readmissions is a significant result among Aetna membership in the state.
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Hospital readmissions are estimated to cost the healthcare system more than $31 billion every year, according to a 2009 study by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. In addition, commercial readmissions cost 37 percent more than the average hospital admission, according to a 2010 study by Optum. To help reduce these costs and improve the quality of care for its commercial members, Aetna selected CareCentrix to implement its HomeSTAR hospital readmission reduction program in 2011. CareCentrix's HomeSTAR program, which stands for Successful Transition And Recovery at Home, supports patients in transitioning from the 24/7 care they receive in hospitals to a self-management regimen upon returning home.
"Our HomeSTAR program is a great example of the significant impact that targeted interventions delivered in the home can have on patients' recovery and overall health," said John Driscoll, CEO of CareCentrix. "I am exceedingly proud to be working collaboratively with leading health plans, such as Aetna, to improve patient outcomes while lowering costs."
Through CareCentrix's contracted home health agencies that perform protocol-driven patient interventions, HomeSTAR patients benefit from risk assessments, coaching and coordination. CareCentrix's HomeSTAR program addresses the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services stated goals of improving the patient experience of care, improving the health of populations and reducing the per capita cost of health care.
"We are pleased that the patient-centered coordination of care is delivering the expected results in improved adherence to treatment, better monitoring for signs of problems and faster recovery time. A care delivery system built on ensuring members have what they need – when and where they need it – helps individuals be their healthiest, which helps the entire health care community," said Christopher Ciano, Aetna Florida market president.
About CareCentrix
CareCentrix is the nation's leading benefits management company focused on effectively managing home-based care. Headquartered in Hartford, Conn., the company provides a full range of services including coordination of home nursing, home infusion and home medical equipment. It offers an innovative program to help people manage sleep disorders at home through its Sleep Management Solutions (SMS) division. CareCentrix is also helping payers and providers reduce patient hospital readmissions through a transitional home-based care program, HomeSTAR. CareCentrix serves more than 23 million people through its national network of 7,400 credentialed home healthcare provider locations and customer care centers. To learn more about CareCentrix, visit www.carecentrix.com.
SOURCE CareCentrix