By Heidi Schwarzwald, M.D.,
Chief Medical Officer, Signify Health
(NAPSI)—As a physician, I have spent my career learning that a person’s health is determined by so much more than what we see during a brief exam in a clinic. While traditional office visits are vital, they can often lack the one thing both patients and doctors crave most: time. This is why I am such a strong advocate for In-Home Health Evaluations (IHEs) offered by Signify Health.
I recently saw the power of this approach when I learned about Carol and John, a couple who have been married for nearly 60 years. Like many older adults, their health needs became more complex as they aged. John was diagnosed with diabetes and Parkinsonism syndrome, which requires him to use a wheelchair. For them, the logistics of getting to a doctor’s office became a hurdle.
A New Chapter in Preventive Care
Through their Medicare Advantage plan, Carol and John were able to schedule an IHE. Unlike a standard office-based health care appointment, the IHE brings an experienced physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant from Signify’s national clinician network directly to the member’s home at no additional cost to them.
Carol told us, “I really like the fact that my husband and I see a Signify clinician together. She spent time with us talking about our general well-being, rather than focusing on just one specific issue.”
That is the heart of what we do during an IHE. When we sit down at a health plan member’s kitchen table or living room couch, we aren’t just conducting health tests and checking vitals. We are listening. Our clinicians may spend up to an hour with a person—often more than a traditional office visit allows. This gives us the opportunity to uncover what we call “the full picture” of their health.
IHEs are a valuable health service to ensure that people are getting the care, screening and follow-up support they need.
Connecting the Dots
During an IHE visit, we often identify things that might be missed in an office setting. We review all medications to prevent adverse interactions, conduct testing and screening for chronic conditions, and look for potential safety concerns in the home, like trip hazards or lighting issues that could lead to a fall.
In fact, our clinicians can capture over 300 clinical and social data points about a member’s health. This information isn’t meant to replace a member’s regular doctor; rather, it’s meant to support them. After every visit, we share a summary with the member, their primary care provider and health plan, so they have a comprehensive understanding of needs and can further coordinate care.
Supporting the Whole Family
One of the most rewarding aspects of the IHE is the support it can offer to caregivers. During Carol and John’s in-home health visit, our clinician noticed that Carol was feeling overwhelmed and anxious due to the demands of caregiving.
Because our clinician was in her home, she was able to have an honest conversation about not only Carol’s physical health, but also her emotional and mental well-being. The clinician encouraged Carol to connect with her own primary care provider for additional support, a need that might have remained hidden.
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 primary care provider. For Carol and John, it also helped open important lines of communication between them.
As Carol put it, “After 58 years, it’s good to hear each other tell someone else what their concerns are. It helps us understand what each one of us is going through.”
Your Health, Your Home
The feedback we receive from health plan members who complete an IHE with Signify Health across the country is overwhelming: 70% of people who complete an IHE say they would do it again, underscoring the value of in-home health visits.
I believe that by meeting people where they are, we can help people stay exactly where they want to be—healthy, independent and at home.
Are you or a loved one eligible for an IHE? I encourage you to take a moment to prioritize your health from the comfort of your own home. Check your eligibility for a no-cost In-Home Health Evaluation by visiting HelloSignify.com or calling 1-855-984-5121 today.
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"“I believe that by meeting people where they are, we can help people stay exactly where they want to be—healthy, independent and at home,” says Heidi Schwarzwald, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Signify Health, about In-Home Health Evaluations."