DispatchHealth and Home Instead take their partnership nationwide

The collaboration allows Home Instead's clients to request DispatchHealth’s services

In 2019, five million people received care at home, a number that more than doubled to 12 million by the end of 2020, mostly thanks to the pandemic. In 2020, U.S. home care spending reached an all-time high of $113.5 billion, and in 2021 there were approximately 9,000 more home care agencies than there were 5 years ago. 

All of this is likely a good thing, especially for older adults: around one-third of hospitalized patients over the age of 70, and more than half over the age of 85, leave the hospital more debilitated than when they arrived. 

Now, two companies in the space are expanding their partnering to bring more at-home care, as Home Instead, a home care provider for aging adults, and DispatchHealth, an in-home, high acuity medical care provider, announced that they are taking their collaboration to provide in-home acute care for Home Instead Clients nationwide.

Home Instead providers, care professionals, clients, and their families can request DispatchHealth’s services via telephone or website. Once requested, an emergency care-trained DispatchHealth medical team arrives at the patient’s home equipped with the necessary tools and treatments to treat the patient in the home, including on-site diagnostics and a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act-certified lab. Provided services include treatment for viral or bacterial infections, asthma attacks, wounds, bed sores and pressure ulcers, and minor fractures and sprains. DispatchHealth is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, including holidays. 

The partnership between Home Instead and DispatchHealth began during the fourth quarter of 2021, with pilots in select markets. After seeing high adoption and usage, the program has now expanded to more than 30 markets.

Founded in 2013, DispatchHealth is an in-home care, on-demand care company. Two providers arrive at the patient's home, including a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, and a DispatchHealth medical technician. An ER physician is always available by phone for consults as well.The company can treat nearly every non-life-threatening medical condition that can be treated in an urgent care center or other health care facility, including urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, fall injuries, flu, migraines, dehydration, and stitches.

DispatchHealth is in-network with most insurance plans, including Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Bright Health, Mercy Care, InnovAge, CareMore Health, Optima Health, UMR, and AARP.

Home Instead, an Honor Company, brings technology solutions, operational support, and a large pool of caregivers to home care agencies across the U.S. The company, founded in 1994, operates in the United States and 12 other countries.

In its pilots, the program received positive feedback from clients, including an average Net Promoter Score of 99 out of 100; additionally, more than 55% of Home Instead clients using DispatchHealth have avoided unnecessary trips to the hospital.

“Home Instead’s partnership with DispatchHealth represents how two organizations that are deeply committed to delivering personalized care in the home can better meet the needs of older adults through more accessible healthcare that is delivered safely in the home,” said Chad Brough, Vice President of Healthcare Transformation at Home Instead.

“DispatchHealth was founded on the principle that the emergency department is, at times, the wrong place to care for aging adults and that high acuity care in the home can often substitute for an emergency department visit and produce improved outcomes. Our partnership with Home Instead furthers this mission by meeting patients where they are and treating their high acuity needs from the comfort of their home,” Dr. Mark Prather, CEO and co-founder of DispatchHealth, said in a statement.

“Additionally, over the last two years, we have seen a rapid change in healthcare and what patients and their families want has evolved throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We are excited to team up with Home Instead, an innovative home health partner, to reach the aging population with convenient, effective care in the home.” 

(Image source: dispatchhealth.com)