 Healthcare reform
benefiting
the home-limited and elderly
Welcome to the Independence at Home website, brought to you by the
American Academy of Home Care
Physicians, a 501©(3) organization working to bring home-based
primary care to the frail elderly since 1984.
Our Purpose
The purpose of this site is to educate
interested members of the public, press and providers, along with Federal legislators and their
staff, regarding the need for home-based primary
care. We'll track the progress of the IAH demonstration as it is
implemented. This site will give you general background about the issue and information on how you can help us achieve our
goal of making a home-based primary care pilot a key part of the final
health reform package.
The Problem
There are 3-4 million seniors now living with multiple chronic illnesses
such as diabetes, lung and heart disease who are too ill or disabled
to easily visit their physician when they need care. These seniors,
representing 10% of Medicare, account for two thirds of Medicare's
expenditures.
Seniors are typically unable to access a
physician's office for preventative care, which results in ER visits and
inpatient hospitalizations. These are the patients who place the largest
burden on Medicare, and this problem isn't going away. The number of people
with multiple chronic illnesses will grow to 6-8 million by 2025.
The
Solution
The quickest way to control health costs is by
addressing these highest cost patients first. House calls are a solution to
the rising costs of helping patients with multiple chronic conditions. At
$1,500 per ER visit, we can show that the cost of 10 house calls more than
offsets the expense of an avoidable ER visit. Savings are even greater for
hospitalization.
Improved Care for
Patients, Savings for Medicare
Home-based primary care
programs have the potential to save 20-40% on Medicare’s most expensive
patients by bringing them care in their homes, and providing care
coordination across all care settings. Providers are also accountable for
good care. Overall this is a win for patients, their families, and Medicare!
For questions, contact
AAHCP.
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