Managing LTSS Populations Using Data-Driven Strategies
Throughout the last two years, we have seen that organizations with intuitive technology infrastructure and comprehensive access to clinical, social, and behavioral data have been best prepared to continue caring for their vulnerable populations while improving outcomes and decreasing costs. Conversely, those that lacked a full picture of individuals’ health have found themselves reacting primarily to emergent healthcare issues – an expensive and delayed approach to care. As healthcare leaders reflect on lessons learned during the pandemic, the need for more tech-driven and proactive care models that fully address the complex needs of Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS) populations has never been more critical.
Employing a Data-Driven Approach
In a value-based care strategy, MCOs consider all the factors that influence an individual’s health and measure care based on the quality of patient outcomes. By utilizing a data-driven whole-person care strategy, these organizations can identify emerging health challenges, engage in preventive practices, and arrange for timely interventions. Ultimately, this whole-person focus leads to improved health outcomes and quality of life for members receiving this type of care.
To implement a true, data-driven, holistic care program, it is essential to have a 360° view of a member, particularly as social determinants of health – including where people live, work, play and pray – can drive up to 80% of health outcomes. VirtualHealth has both the proven experience working with complex care populations, like UPMC’s Community HealthChoices, and the ability to aggregate the rich datasets needed to deliver a whole picture of each member’s health.
Acquiring more data from across the long-term and healthcare ecosystems is powerful only if care managers and ancillary program staff are properly equipped to access and leverage the insights. When considering the right technology partner, it is crucial to look for platforms that not only have the ability to ingest the raw clinical and community resource data, but the capability to turn that data into meaningful insights and timely action for members within a single, unified view. By automatically identifying and providing the next best action for individuals at the right time, while simultaneously reducing technology fatigue by housing all available data within a single platform, VirtualHealth’s HELIOS® optimizes staff productivity and efficacy, empowering them to care for larger populations over shorter timespans. This ultimately improves workflows for health plan staff, which saves them time and allows them to focus on creating more personalized interactions with the people enrolled in the plan.
Looking Ahead
As health plan leaders look to advance their holistic care strategies, effectively delivering proactive, data-driven healthcare and improving the quality of life for LTSS populations must be a top priority. Through platforms like HELIOS®, enabling a complete picture of a person’s health through technology that includes data insights and community resources is easier than ever.
To learn more about how VirtualHealth’s technology enables better management of LTSS populations, click here.
A version of this content, originally published in HIT Consultant, can be found here.
