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To enhance the quality and convenience of healthcare services for Medicare Advantage members. Cigna makes big leaps in its value-based, in-home primary care services.
Cigna aims to enhance patient satisfaction by bringing individualized care right to patients’ homes while also enhancing health outcomes and lowering hospital admissions.
This article will delve into Cigna’s dedication to value-based care and its initiatives to revolutionize primary care services for its Medicare Advantage members.
Cigna is a Leader in Value-Based Care
As a background, Medicare Advantage plans are private health insurance plans approved by Medicare. The healthcare company provides beneficiaries with additional coverage and benefits beyond what original Medicare offers.
As a leading healthcare provider, Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans have made significant improvements, highlighting the company’s focus on value-based care by making top-notch healthcare affordable while lowering costs.
To keep abreast of the changing trends in the healthcare industry, Cigna’s high-value care emphasizes quality rather than quantity. It offers personalized and comprehensive care to its Medicare Advantage members by working closely with healthcare providers.
The Importance of Value-Based Care
Cigna’s end goal for its Medicare Advantage members is to provide quality, affordable, and convenient healthcare. This is the essence of value-based care.
To enforce the program, Cigna has forged partnerships with in-home primary care providers. These providers render quality and efficient homecare services, without regard for the number or frequency of the visits.
Working closely with in-home primary care providers, Cigna is making its mark in healthcare delivery. They make healthcare services more accessible and convenient for their Medicare Advantage members.
Further, in-home primary care services have made a significant impact on the management of chronic diseases and preventive care for its Medicare Advantage members, making Cigna the leader in value-based care.
Value-based care also regulates healthcare expenses. This is important in light of continually rising costs. Controlling costs gives providers an incentive to deliver affordable services without compromising their quality or personalized home care.
In summary, value-based care is a healthcare approach where patients and healthcare providers greatly benefit. Healthcare outcomes are enhanced thanks to Cigna’s in-home health services, which exemplify value-based care.
Cigna’s In-Home Primary Care Services: Expanding the Reach
Cigna introduced an innovative solution in the healthcare industry known as In-Home Primary Care Services. This is a step towards improving healthcare accessibility and convenience by expanding the reach of in-home primary care.
Cigna understands the importance of healthcare delivery to patients and providing complete services. Hence, this program takes primary care facilities to the homes of their patients, providing medical care to individuals in the comfort and convenience of their homes.
- Reduces the logistical demands and boosts overall patient encounters.
With healthcare providers traveling directly to patients’ homes, Cigna eliminates the necessity for patients to commute to a medical facility, thus removing barriers to seeking healthcare. Patients get their needed medical services without incurring further inconveniences.
This arrangement enables a face-to-face encounter between the patient and provider, facilitating a more interactive medical consultation and respectful discussion. With this, care relationships are forged, thus contributing to a better overall patient encounter.
- Boosts the quality of care and outcomes.
Cigna’s in-home primary care service is particularly beneficial for senior citizens and those with mobility issues and chronic illnesses who are housebound, ensuring continuity of care and timely interventions.
Also, the program has no restrictions on the number of home visits rendered. Thus, this arrangement has the potential to enhance patient outcomes by enabling healthcare providers to deliver more personalized and continuous care. Quality is foremost over quantity of services.
- Preventive care.
Regular home visits and proactive care management help identify potential health issues early on, preventing complications and reducing the need for emergency interventions.
- Enhances collaboration between healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers.
Cigna is leveraging telehealth technologies and digital platforms to make in-home primary care more accessible. Patients can consult with healthcare professionals remotely through virtual visits, discussing symptoms, and receiving diagnoses.
Another remarkable advantage enjoyed by patients is that they can get prescriptions delivered to their doorstep. This approach saves time and offers a high level of convenience and flexibility for patients who may have difficulty accessing typical healthcare settings.
By leveraging technology, communication and coordination are facilitated. Electronic medical records, telehealth consultations, and remote monitoring devices enable seamless information exchange between providers, patients, and caregivers.
- Reduces healthcare costs.
Since the program is included in Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plan, patients don’t need to worry about additional expenses for such services if their medical condition warrants it. Home healthcare services reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients who want to be at home.
Other associated costs are significantly reduced due to healthcare professionals traveling to the patient’s home. One is that there’s relief from the burden of caregivers. Another is the expenses incurred to travel to the medical facility, which are also reduced.
Cigna’s Home Healthcare Program: How it Works
Cigna’s program on in-home primary care services is made possible through its partnerships with in-home primary care providers. These services are available to Medicare Advantage members, aiming to improve the quality, affordability, and convenience of healthcare.
Healthcare providers conduct thorough observations to determine factors affecting the health of patients. These factors may include food security, diet, environmental factors, medication management, depression, and loneliness.
Partnership with Heal
Cigna has partnered with Heal, a primary care provider that conducts house calls, telemedicine, and remote patient monitoring. Through this partnership, they offer in-home primary care services to Cigna Medicare Advantage enrollees in selected states, including Georgia.
As part of Cigna’s value-based care approach to the delivery of healthcare services, the partnership with Heal took effect in October 2022. The business model was founded to improve the quality and access to care for its Medicare Advantage members.
Partnership with Alegis Care
Another partnership was forged with Alegis Care. The program focuses on home visits for Medicare Advantage members experiencing multiple chronic health conditions. The visits are conducted by the patient’s primary care doctors.
Depending on the preferences of the patient, a virtual visit can also be conducted instead of face-to-face interaction.
The care team, led by the patient’s physician, coordinates with the patient’s current doctors and can help manage anything from a common cold to a complex chronic condition. These in-home visits are offered at no additional cost to Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage members.
What Types of Home Health Care Services are Covered by Cigna?
On top of Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans, they offer coverage for home healthcare services and supplies through their network of national ancillary providers. These services include:
- Home delivery of medical equipment and supplies, such as ambulatory aids, beds and accessories, and oxygen tanks.
- Post-acute care for patients needing specialized medical care after an acute illness or medical procedure
- Home infusion for patients needing medication through needles to catheters safely at home
- Home sleep management for patients diagnosed with a sleeping disorder
Skilled nursing care, physical therapy, and occupational therapy are the mainstays of Cigna’s in-home healthcare services. However, before availing of these services, the patient should be under the care of a doctor who will approve the home healthcare plan.
Additionally, Cigna has partnered with eviCore Healthcare to provide home healthcare services for its commercial customers. They manage home healthcare, durable medical equipment (DME), and home infusion therapy.
How About Out-of-Pocket Costs for Home Healthcare Services?
Under Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans, patients are paying certain costs out-of-pocket, including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. The addition of home healthcare services reduces out-of-pocket expenses for patients who intend to be at home.
The out-of-pocket maximum limits the amount a patient pays for healthcare services covered by a plan per year. However, the out-of-pocket maximum varies depending on the plan and the area or location being serviced.
With an average monthly rate of $7, Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans are known for being the cheapest in the industry.
There are no specific restrictions on the number and frequency of home visits covered by Cigna Medicare Advantage plans. By policy, the coverage for home healthcare services is based on medical necessity and requires a doctor’s order.
Make Cigna Your Preferred Choice for In-Home Healthcare
Cigna’s commitment to value-based care in its Medicare Advantage plans reflects its dedication to providing affordable and high-quality healthcare.
With the aging population and an increasing need for accessible healthcare, Cigna’s In-Home Primary Care Services are revolutionizing the way healthcare is delivered. Thus, medical care will be convenient, efficient, and more patient-centric.
By delivering comprehensive medical care directly to patients’ homes. Cigna sets a new standard in the industry as the demand for accessible and patient-centered healthcare continues to grow.
By focusing on care coordination, preventive care, and leveraging technology, Cigna empowers its Medicare Advantage members to lead healthier lives. Indeed, Cigna’s value-based care enhances individual health and communal well-being.
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FAQ
What is Cigna’s approach to enhancing healthcare services for Medicare Advantage members?
Cigna is revolutionizing primary care for its Medicare Advantage members by offering value-based, in-home primary care services. This approach aims to improve patient satisfaction, health outcomes, and reduce hospital admissions.
What are the benefits of Cigna’s in-home primary care services for Medicare Advantage members?
Cigna’s in-home primary care services reduce logistical demands for patients, boost the quality of care and outcomes, emphasize preventive care, enhance collaboration between healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers, and reduce healthcare costs.
How does Cigna’s partnership with Heal contribute to its in-home primary care services?
Cigna has partnered with Heal, a primary care provider offering house calls, telemedicine, and remote patient monitoring. Through this partnership, Cigna provides in-home primary care services to its Medicare Advantage enrollees in selected states, including Georgia
What types of home healthcare services are covered by Cigna for its Medicare Advantage members?
Cigna offers coverage for various home healthcare services and supplies through its network of national ancillary providers. These services include home delivery of medical equipment and supplies, post-acute care, home infusion, and skilled nursing care, among others.
How do out-of-pocket costs work for home healthcare services under Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans?
Patients under Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans may have out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. However, the addition of home healthcare services aims to reduce overall out-of-pocket expenses for patients who prefer to receive care at home.
