National pilot’s goal: Prevent serious long-term effects of medical emergencies and falls, reduce hospital admissions and readmissions
Humana Teams with VRI to Pilot Enhanced Medical Alert Systems for its Medicare members
<0> Humana Inc.Nancy A. Hanewinckel, 941-585-4763Corporate CommunicationsorVRIBrian Botos, 937-743-6552, x12137Sales and Marketing </0>
(NYSE: HUM), one of the nation’s leading health and well-being companies, and (VRI), a leading provider of home health monitoring services, are partnering on a national pilot aimed at preventing the serious long-term effects of medical emergencies and falls, and reducing unnecessary hospital admissions, readmissions and emergency room visits.
Beginning in late July, Humana began providing a free personal emergency response system, called a “PERS,” to Medicare Advantage members identified by the company’s national chronic care management division, Humana Cares / SeniorBridge. Plans are for 500 Humana Medicare members nationwide to participate in the six-month pilot.
“We know that a third of people over age 65 fall at least once a year, and nearly half cannot get up without help,” said Humana Cares / SeniorBridge Vice President of Telephonic Clinical Operations Gail Miller. “Our goal is to continue to find ways to help our Medicare members stay longer and safer in their homes. Humana believes a medical alert system can help our members who are at risk of falls, and give their caregivers and family members peace of mind at the same time.”
The VRI medical alert system is easy to use. When help is needed, the member simply pushes a button on the device and a Care Center representative answers the call and gets the help needed, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. VRI also uses the device to track motion and is alerted if the device senses a lack of activity that may signal a health emergency.
“We are excited to work with Humana to show that when proven, low-cost Medical Alerts are combined with innovative monitoring processes and fall technologies, health care organizations can improve care and reduce costs associated with hospitalizations,” said Andy Schoonover, President of VRI.
Using state-of-the-art technology, the PERS device:
Humana Cares / SeniorBridge, Humana’s national chronic care management division, supports more than 300,000 individuals who have chronic conditions, struggle with daily activities and are frequently hospitalized, as well as their family members and caregivers.
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a leading health care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong well-being. By leveraging the strengths of its core businesses, Humana believes it can better explore opportunities for existing and emerging adjacencies in health care that can further enhance wellness opportunities for the millions of people across the nation with whom the company has relationships.
More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s web site at , including copies of:
With over 24 years of experience, VRI is one of the largest providers of telehealth monitoring, monitored medication dispensing and adherence solutions, and medical alert systems serving 100,000 actively monitored clients across the country. VRI’s services support patient self-management and health plan Care Management operations that enable seniors, the chronically ill, and those with disabilities to maintain their independence and avoid long-term care facilities, preventable ER use, hospitalization and hospital readmission. The company currently serves clients across the United States through commercial and government-funded health benefit programs administered by national and regional health plans, and other Managed Care Organizations. For more information, or to view the full range of VRI services and products, please visit .