Addus HomeCare Corporation (NASDAQ: ADUS), a provider of home care services, today announced it has entered into a “Stay Healthy at Home” value-based agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) for Medicaid members served by its subsidiary company, Ambercare Corporation (Ambercare). Ambercare is an operator of home health, hospice and personal care services in the State of New Mexico.
The “Stay Healthy at Home” program is designed to help BCBSNM members obtain appropriate and timely care when a care gap or potential disease acceleration is identified by the client and/or their Addus caregiver. With that information, the Addus team will work with BCBSNM care coordination staff to remove barriers to service, coordinate with the member’s primary care physician (PCP), and, when appropriate, mobilize community-based clinical care as an alternative to emergency room visits or hospital admissions. Service metrics and clinical quality outcome measures are key features of the program.
The program will also include specific training for Addus’ home care aides so they can more effectively identify and report changes in a member’s condition that could require urgent intervention. These reports will be reviewed and coordinated by Addus care transition coordinators and communicated to the health plan and member’s PCP for follow up. Addus will also assist with coordination and scheduling of medical procedures needed by members to close known Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) care gaps.
Commenting on the announcement, Dirk Allison, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Addus, stated, "We are pleased to enter this agreement with BCBSNM, to help achieve better health and financial results for BCBSNM as well as improved member satisfaction and outcomes. As a provider of personal care, home health and hospice care in the home, we have a significant opportunity to work with the BCBSNM team to promote better outcomes. The “Stay Healthy at Home” program will benefit both our dedicated team of caregivers and the clients we serve across New Mexico. We look forward to working in partnership with BCBSNM, who shares our mission to provide quality, patient-centered care in the home.”
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About Addus HomeCare
Addus HomeCare is a provider of home care services that primarily include personal care services that assist with activities of daily living, as well as hospice and home health services. Addus HomeCare’s consumers are primarily persons who, without these services, are at risk of hospitalization or institutionalization, such as the elderly, chronically ill and disabled. Addus HomeCare’s payor clients include federal, state and local governmental agencies, managed care organizations, commercial insurers and private individuals. Addus HomeCare currently provides home care services to approximately 44,500 consumers through 207 locations across 22 states. For more information, please visit www.addus.com.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is one of the largest commercial health insurers in New Mexico with 680,000 New Mexicans carrying a Blue Cross and Blue Shield card. Since 1940, BCBSNM has been committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care. BCBSNM is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.