Bad News For GOP In KY: Frequent ER Users Being Directed To Proper Med Facilities-Saving State $$$

[kpete]

More bad news for the GOP propaganda machine: not only have a lot of folks signed up for Obamacare. Now they are directing frequent ER users to the proper medical facilities and saving the state money....

Kentucky uses health network to divert 'frequent fliers' from ERs
By Dibya Sarkar
Apr 22, 2014

Like many states, Kentucky has been grappling with a disproportionate level of spending used to provide care to a tiny group of patients — the 1 percent or so who overuse hospital emergency rooms. Last year, state officials decided to do something about it.

Under a directive from Gov. Steve Beshear, the state launched an initiative with its Medicaid program to provide coordinated care for these “super-utilizer” patients -- also known as “frequent fliers--with the help of its secure electronic network.

Super-utilizers have long been a concern in Kentucky and elsewhere, but officials said they haven’t been able to effectively address their complex physical, behavioral and social needs so far. Dr. John Langefeld, chief medical officer for the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services, said technology from data analytics to geomapping to communication is now helping officials connect super-utilizers with the right care.

“And we do think that’s what will create the difference moving forward from what we historically have experienced in a much more fragmented system,” he said.



MORE:
http://gcn.com/articles/2014/04/22/kentucky-er-super-utilizers.aspx

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Well, how about that???

I am pleased to read this.

K&R

[nykym]

2. Now they need to make thier

findings and program available to other states wishing to cut down on ER visits.
It could push the ACA over the top.

[BrotherIvan]

3. Not only that, but truly urgent need cases will benefit

from less overcrowding of ERs. And people will get more appropriate care. It's definitely a win win in all areas.

[ProSense]

4. Here's another

"Now they are directing frequent ER users to the proper medical facilities and saving the state money.... "

...good ER-related piece.

After-Hours Clinic a partnership of health-care David and Goliath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024860534

[mopinko]

5. the aca is gonna save cook county's ass

we are mired in the impact of lack of access to health care. decades of attempts to fix it have failed.
but now we have countycare. anyone who shows up in cook county hospital and cook county jail can be signed up for this free hmo.

the sheriff, in particular, will be making use of this to finally rid the jail of the title "country's largest psyche unit"
(you can tell a progressive, because they really do value family. i have seen tom dart bow out of handshaking to be home before bedtime. was really reluctant to run, but watch for him. he will rise.)

[Sunlei]

6. good news!, saves the state a lot of money & saves the emergency room a lot of time.

"effectively address their complex physical, behavioral and social needs"

[chknltl]

7. Aw geeez, everyone hates an "I told ya so"....

....well everyone who believes the crap coming out of Fox so called News that is. Oh darn huh?

[JDPriestly]

8. K&R.

[Aristus]

9. It always amazes me that the hysterically anti-tax zealots oppose measures that

significantly reduce the burden on tax-payers.

Keeping non-emergent medical cases out of the emergency rooms, through programs like the ACA, will save the tax payers a tremendous amount of money, but the repubs just can't seem to get that through their heads...

[IronLionZion]

10. Rationing! Socialism!

The Soviets are taking over Kentucky!

[rickyhall]

11. Wonder what would happen

If the Repugs lose their asses in the '14 elections because of their Obamacare stupidity?

[Cha]

12. K!