The Managing Health Outcomes grant provides blood pressure monitors, scales, and pulse oximeters to Medicare patients with target cardiac and respiratory diagnoses. Qualifying patients meet with case managers who teach them to use the equipment and record daily results. Goals, such as a target blood pressure, are established for each patient. Over a 90-day period, case managers call the patients to check their progress and results, and answer any questions they may have. When the 90-day program ends, patients may keep the equipment to monitor their condition and progress.
“This grant has allowed many of my patients who have qualified based on Medicare status to obtain necessary supplies including scales, blood pressure cuffs, and pulse oximeters. When they obtain these supplies, they are given information about how to use them appropriately and they have follow up from Augusta Care Partners case management. This has helped many of my patients to improve their understanding of and control over their health – I am so grateful for this program!” – Cara Goodell, MD, Augusta Health Primary Care, Stuarts Draft
Hundreds of patients have participated in the Managing Health Outcomes program since 2015. Last year, 89% of the patients with hypertension who received blood pressure cuffs began to regularly monitor their blood pressure, and 76% had blood pressure readings within goal values at program completion. There was also a significant decrease in overall health system spend and emergency/inpatient utilization for grant recipients. The program is fully funded by the Augusta Health Foundation.
To refer a patient, contact Wendy Hamilton with Augusta Care Partners Case Management at (540) 332-5064.
AMG providers can order a referral to Augusta Care Partners Case Management through Athena.