EvercareTM

For individuals enrolled in Evercare’s nursing home program, hospital admission rates are 50% less than comparable nursing home patients. In fulfillment of federal guidelines, 94% of Evercare residents have discussed treatment options for care at end of life. This compares to approximately 57% for other Medicare beneficiaries.

Situation

More than 39 million elderly and disabled Americans receive healthcare through Medicare, and six million of them qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. The oldest Americans tend to be frail, have complex healthcare needs, and reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

Solution

Evercare™ is a part of Ovations, one of five operating businesses within UnitedHealth Group. UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company that provides a broad spectrum of resources and services to help people achieve improved health and well-being through all stages of life. Evercare™ optimizes the health and well being of aging, vulnerable and chronically ill individuals by using nurse practitioners or care managers and physician teams to improve healthcare delivery for individuals residing in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or in their homes. Evercare™ enhances their quality of life while reducing hospital admissions, potentially harmful drug interactions, and side effects.

Better Health & Lower Costs

Evercare™ focuses on the timely delivery of primary and preventive care. As a result, for individuals enrolled in Evercare's nursing-home program, hospital admission rates are 50% less than comparable nursing-home patients. In fulfillment of federal guidelines, 94% of Evercare™ residents have discussed treatment options for care at the end of their lives. This compares to approximately 57% for other Medicare beneficiaries. Evercare™ has earned a 97% satisfaction rating from enrollees' family members.

As a result of Evercare's comprehensive health assessment, the average number of medications taken by Evercare™ enrollees is substantially less than the number of medications taken by other nursing-home residents. This reduction in medications reduces the chances for harmful drug interactions and side effects.

Evercare™ serves 60,000 Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in eleven states and is funded through both the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Approximately $20 billion in hospital costs could be saved over a five-year period if the federal government could implement this system for the costliest five percent of Medicare beneficiaries. This can be accomplished by improving preventive and primary care, and communication and involvement with the family and healthcare providers in the medical decision- making process.