Connecting the Dots

The launch of Beacon’s first post-acute care network

It can be tricky to keep up with all the changes in the world of health care, even for those of us who work every day in the health care setting.

One of the more recent developments is the rise of post-acute care networks. These networks pull together providers, like Memorial Hospital, Elkhart General Hospital and Beacon Health Ventures with skilled nursing facilities, to work together on a number of objectives: reducing hospital readmissions, decreasing post-acute care costs and improving quality of care.

In July, Beacon Health System launched our first post-acute care network, joining with skilled nursing facilities that are dedicated to supporting our patients’ transition back to health. The network includes Memorial Hospital, Elkhart General Hospital and Beacon Health Ventures and nine skilled nursing facilities in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties.

So, how does a post-acute care network work? Take for example a person treated at Elkhart General Hospital for a stroke who is released to a skilled nursing facility in Wakarusa. Elkhart General staff help oversee the person’s transition from the nursing facility to home health care, ensuring the proper care at all stages for the person’s recovery. The goal of post-acute care is for it to be organized, seamless and to ensure people receive the highest quality of care no matter the setting following release from the hospital.

While the initial focus will be on addressing stroke patients, the patient population will be expanded to include those in at-risk populations, including diabetes, heart disease, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This network was developed in response to the changes with bundling of payments and new reimbursement practices that are happening with Medicare and private payers.

“With this new world of reimbursement and care coordination,” says Greg Conrad, President of Beacon Health Ventures, “Beacon realized the need to improve working with other provider types to coordinate care; from before the patient gets to the hospital to after they leave.”