Mind the care gaps

ATLANTA- The healthcare market is moving quickly from fee-for-service to pay-for-performance, a trend that is leaving providers with a lack of both proven care models and cross team communication.

At Medtrade in Atlanta, John Stelzner, vice president of sales and business development for Philips, will be part of a panel that will outline the changes and challenges in the care and management of COPD patients, and the role analytics may play in proving the value your company's efforts bring to the table.

HME News: How will the transition from fee for service to pay for performance affect HME providers?

John Stelzner: Our industry has not yet been able to definitively tie the value of their services back to overall costs, and it is critical that their true value is known. We feel that HMEs need to show their benefit to the key stakeholders in the care continuum and get paid for the benefit they offer.

HME: How is the care and management of COPD patients changing?

Stelzner: Fee-for-service payments for DME to care for COPD patients in the home are decreasing, so the services offered to them are decreasing, as well. This may result in unmanaged COPD patients that are not engaged in their own care and hence are high risks to head to the ER when they don't feel well.

HME: What is the role of analytics in improving care for COPD patients?

Stelzner: Moving forward, we need to tie all patient information across the care continuum together, from manufacturers to physician, to provider, to payer, to patient. Care gaps need to be identified, documented and reported.

HME: If attendees take away one thing from this session, what should it be?

Stelzner: The HMEs of the future have to prove their relevance in the care continuum to be a valuable player in the rapidly changing landscape of value-based care.