CareCentrix’s Steve Wogen on becoming ‘the norm’

HARTFORD, Conn. – It’s still “early innings” in its partnership with Walgreens Boots Alliance, but CareCentrix remains focused on building out centers of excellence across both basic services and complex disease management, says Steve Wogen, chief growth officer. 

“In the last year, we have installed more new business across multiple home services than in the last three years,” he said.  “We continue to be focused on the management of home as the last mile and thinking through the value of alternate sites of care. That’s not going away.”  

Wogen spoke with HME News recently about CareCentrix’s progress toward the future of health care and what he predicts will become “the norm.” 

HME News: It’s been a year since WBA announced it would acquire CareCentrix and launch Walgreens Health. What progress have you made? 

Steve Wogen: We’re beginning to launch new and innovative pilots where we can enhance consumer engagement and client value. For example, when you think about patients that leave the hospital, a large percentage don’t always engage with their primary care provider but engaging with the PCP can reduce readmissions by up to 20%. By coordinating with Walgreens to be able to make sure that loop is closed, we can improve consumer engagement and payer outcomes.  

HME: The industry has been pushing toward interoperability and e-prescribing for a long time now. Do you think it’s becoming more of a reality? 

Wogen: It has slowly evolved, but we have a long way to go. We need to be realistic and address the pain points. Who goes to their physician today that doesn’t have their prescriptions automated? But for home care orders, it hasn’t been as top of mind to the prescribers – in particular – to make it a huge priority. How can you make it seamless for the prescriber? 

HME: Where do you see the future of health care? 

Wogen: Fast forward. Hospital-at-home is going to be the norm; SNF-at-home is going to be the norm. The hospitals will be focused on the highest acuity patents. We can coordinate home infusion or physical therapy. We can do that and engage the patient digitally. Eight or nine years ago, that didn’t exist but as technology keeps up, regulation softens, (having hospitals) focus on the sickest of the sick is definitely going to become the norm. More and more care will continue to move into the home and when it’s done right it’s a win-win.