Apr 4 2014
Although Duane Wregglesworth of Buchanan, MI, has lived with Type 2 Diabetes for five years, he admits it’s only since mid-January of this year that he’s really learned how to avoid many of the complications that come with this condition.
Wregglesworth, 82, is one of 500 Humana Medicare Advantage members living with diabetes who will participate in the remote monitoring pilot program aimed at improving self-care management and reducing hospital admissions and inpatient costs. Humana Inc, (NYSE: HUM), one of the nation’s leading health and well-being companies, and Pharos Innovations, a leading provider of aging services technologies, are partnering on the telehealth pilot that includes Humana members in Texas, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.
“I never knew that activities like walking barefoot on the beach and soaking my feet in hot water could cause problems for people with diabetes,” said Wregglesworth. “I’ve also learned that symptoms, like a tingling sensation in the arms and legs, are related to my diabetes.”
Humana Cares / Senior Bridge, Humana’s national chronic care management division, is identifying and managing the 500 Humana Medicare Advantage members who will participate for a six-month stretch in the “Activities of Daily Living” in-home pilot aimed at helping members remain independent and in their homes.
Using Pharos’ patented technology platform, called Tel-Assurance®, members self-report health information daily, such as blood sugar, symptoms, diet and medication adherence, using whatever communication they prefer: a cellphone, telephone or internet. Tel-Assurance nurses review the information received and reach out to the members if there are any areas of concern.
“We know that people living with diabetes can do so much to improve their quality of life just by monitoring their conditions daily and by learning the activities that will have an impact, positive or negative, on their conditions,” said Gail Miller, Humana Cares / Senior Bridge Vice President of Telephonic Care Management Operations. “This user-friendly system also allows us to intervene more quickly if a member is having complications related to their diabetes.”
Humana Cares / SeniorBridge, Humana’s national chronic care management division, supports more than 400,000 individuals who have chronic conditions, struggle with daily activities and are frequently hospitalized, as well as their family members and caregivers.
Source: https://www.humana.com/