Today, it was great to sit down and talk with Dede de Percin, the Executive Director, of the Mile High Health Alliance and their Program Director, Danni Lederman. The Mile High Health Alliance is doing some amazing work helping assure the health and well-being of the people of Denver through collaboration with the various organizations and individuals who are committed to to the cause. They are working on several priority initiatives including entry into the health care system, access to specialty care, addressing high utilizers of the health care system, and integrating physical and behavioral health.
This year, Colorado House Bill 17-1353 was signed into law by Governor Hickenlooper. Part of that law reads:
“THE STATE DEPARTMENT CREATED THE ACCOUNTABLE CARE COLLABORATIVE, ALSO REFERRED TO IN THIS TITLE 25.5 AS THE MEDICAID COORDINATED CARE SYSTEM…THE GOALS OF THE ACCOUNTABLE CARE COLLABORATIVE ARE TO IMPROVE MEMBER HEALTH AND REDUCE COSTS IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM. TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT’S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACCOUNTABLE CARE COLLABORATIVE MUST INCLUDE, BUT NEED NOT BE LIMITED TO..(g) PROMOTING TELEHEALTH AND TELEMEDICINE“
We spent some time today discussing where telemedicine can fit into the current care system to help improve access to care while connecting patients to in person care when necessary. I appreciate their passion and commitment to what they are doing and appreciate having the opportunity to discuss how Care on Location’s telemedicine, medical records, and geolocation software and mobile telemedicine kits can be combined to open up access to care yet close the loop with office & clinic based health providers as well as with mobile health providers.
Surveys have shown that 40+% of people go to the ER knowing they are not having an emergency. Some of the reasons given include: it was after-hours, the doctor’s appointment was too far away, it was more convenient, or they were told to go by their doctor’s office. By offering after-hours, no-appointment needed, convenient care through telemedicine, your doctor will not have to tell you to go to the ER for non-emergency care.
I truly feel we are on the verge of creating a significantly improved health care system. More openness, collaboration, and data-sharing is needed…but the solutions are there.