Q&A: CareCentrix's John Driscoll

HARTFORD, Conn. - With all of the noise about the need to reduce healthcare costs, post-acute care is getting a lot of attention these days, and companies like CareCentrix, a health management services provider, are ready for the spotlight, says CEO John Driscoll.

Driscoll sees opportunities for its network of post-acute care providers to show how they keep patients home and reduce costs.

“In an unmanaged environment, whether it's the government or managed care, they will just take all of the costs down, not necessarily making the distinction between those that are creating value and those that are reducing value in the healthcare system,” he said. “So we're not moving wisely, we're moving fast.”

Teamwork

Driscoll says CareCentrix is seeing a lot of interest from providers who want to become bigger players in the growing post-acute care space through partnerships.

“They want to help share risk in our shared-risk arrangements with health plans, or to participate in more value-based arrangements,” he said. “We sensibly increase the volume of people who are getting care at home and in the community. The silver lining of that value environment is there is an opportunity for HME providers to keep and grow share where they are adding value.”

Step change

Unfortunately, services like home infusion and home nursing are at the bottom of the list of what CMS and health plans think of as creating value, says Driscoll. But that is changing.

“We are seeing a step change reduction in cost and shifting patients out of the hospitals and nursing homes,” he said. “Up to now, it's not been a focus. It's certainly not the way legislation is organized, or some of the regulations.”

Technology

Leveraging data analytics and patient engagement will help providers make inroads in getting the attention of CMS and health systems, Driscoll says.

“Historically, doctors and regulators underestimated, frankly, the wisdom and insight of the typical patient and their family,” he said. “Consumers are already ready, and already engaged and have their families engaged in home and community-based care. We can deliver the information at the patient level to help them make their choices.”