Northwest Ohio ACO, the Medicare Shared Savings Program accountable care organization formed as a joint venture between the Toledo Clinic and the University of Toledo Physicians, has partnered with Senior Independence, a Columbus, Ohio-based division of Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services.
Senior Independence supports seniors with home and community-based services. The partnership is expected to improve the health of the ACO's beneficiaries through a "Home to Stay" care transition program. The program does a variety of things, including determining if a beneficiary requires home healthcare or simply home visits from a nurse after discharge, according to the release. The program is expected to reduce readmissions as well.
"We're pleased to announce the relationship between our organizations. We believe this relationship will enhance quality and improve the patient experience for beneficiaries served by Northwest Ohio ACO," Gregory Hawkins, the ACO's executive director, said in the release.
"Before Home to Stay, many seniors were left on their own — some with dementia. Now, they're getting help with medications, being provided an evaluation of their home setting, learning which questions to ask at doctor appointments and creating lifesaving personal health records," Rich Boyson, Senior Independence president, said in the release.
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