‘I’m in Awe at This Level of Caring:’ Access to In-Home Care Speeds Up the Injury Recovery Process for 71-Year-Old Owosso Woman
Jake Newby
| 4 min read
Whether she’s taking care of her husband, gardening, doing yardwork or participating in her beloved bowling league, maintaining her independence means the world to 71-year-old Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan member Ruth English.
As sharp and physically fit as Ruth is, she is still prone to accidents, developing conditions and other natural parts of the aging process. Nothing threatened Ruth’s independence more than a bowling injury she suffered to her hip earlier this year.
“I ended up in the emergency room,” said Ruth, a Saginaw resident and Blue Cross Medicare Advantage member.
Already enrolled in HarmonyCares, Ruth really got to experience the type of personalized, compassionate care the organization provides after her injury.
Ruth was prescribed a muscle relaxer by a provider outside of HarmonyCares and wasn’t sure whether it was safe to take. Her HarmonyCares clinician reviewed her medications and put her fears about the medication to rest.
“She got back to me the next day and let me know that was fine. So, I am feeling better because of her.”
HarmonyCares – the nation’s largest provider of in-home physician services for individuals with complex medical issues – partners with Blue Cross to ensure older adults like Ruth receive the sort of personalized, in-home care they need to remain healthy and happy at home for as long as possible. The organization’s motto is “we bring the doctor’s office to you.”
Integrative care specialists work alongside patients’ primary care providers (PCPs). HarmonyCares helps Blue Cross members that can’t always access care themselves, either because they are physically incapable of leaving their homes or because they experience issues after hours when their PCP is unavailable. Ruth’s hip injury made it nearly impossible for her to travel to crucial appointments, so HarmonyCares brought those appointments to her.
“Because I’m having medical issues, they are dealing with that very well,” Ruth said of HarmonyCares. “They’re keeping on top of things, because I’ve had some questions. The doctor is so caring, I love that. Because a lot of times, doctors can be distant. But no, she’s very personable.”
How HarmonyCares' extensive in-home services help patients like Ruth around the clock
HarmonyCares Regional Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eunice Yu, M.D., F.A.C.P., explained how visits to patients like Ruth typically go, while detailing the in-home services the organization provides.
“We will come to the home with our black bag, like an old-school house call doctor,” Dr. Yu said, before explaining the emphasis HarmonyCares places on coordinated care. “We act as ‘housepitalists’ in the home, so specialists in the quality of life for our patients at home. We don’t replace patients’ primary care doctors in the community, we work with them and support them on patients they have trouble caring for because they can’t be in the site of care when patients need extra support.”
"Housepitalist" is a relatively new term to describe clinicians who provide primary care in a patient's home, like how a hospitalist works in a hospital.
Ruth benefitted from medical guidance on a specific medication, which is another service HarmonyCare provides, knowing navigating prescription drugs can be a complex situation.
“We have detailed medication reconciliation, we do help clarify meds,” Dr. Yu said. “We’re really focused on making sure they are on the right medication regimen and provide education around that, so they understand what and why they are taking certain medications. That’s a huge part of what we do.”
Additionally, HarmonyCare coordinates referrals for physical rehabilitation, hospice and diagnostics as needed.
Ruth has had nurses and medical assistants help her out in the past, but she said the range of care and quality of care HarmonyCares delivers has been a welcome change, especially since her accident. She said her recovery process has been sped up thanks to being able to access these health care services at home.
“To have a doctor actually come into my home?” Ruth said. “It’s wonderful. I’m really in awe at this level of caring,” she added. “I’m so happy.”
Providing increased access to health care helps prevent serious complications from arising, which in turn prevents the need for hospitalization. Blue Cross is committed to partnering across the health care system to help our members proactively manage their conditions and receive increased access to quality health care. These measures help keep health care affordable for those we serve.
Learn more about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's commitment to affordability here.
Photo credit: HarmonyCares
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