Benzinga | Nov 16, 2021 08:16AM EST

Addus Homecare Reports Value-Based Deal With Blue Cross, Blue Shield Of New Mexico, No Terms Disclosed

Addus HomeCare Corporation (NASDAQ:ADUS), a provider of home care services, today announced it has entered into a "Stay Healthy at Home" value-based agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) for Medicaid members served by its subsidiary company, Ambercare Corporation (Ambercare). Ambercare is an operator of home health, hospice and personal care services in the State of New Mexico.

The "Stay Healthy at Home" program is designed to help BCBSNM members obtain appropriate and timely care when a care gap or potential disease acceleration is identified by the client and/or their Addus caregiver. With that information, the Addus team will work with BCBSNM care coordination staff to remove barriers to service, coordinate with the member's primary care physician (PCP), and, when appropriate, mobilize community-based clinical care as an alternative to emergency room visits or hospital admissions. Service metrics and clinical quality outcome measures are key features of the program.

The program will also include specific training for Addus' home care aides so they can more effectively identify and report changes in a member's condition that could require urgent intervention. These reports will be reviewed and coordinated by Addus care transition coordinators and communicated to the health plan and member's PCP for follow up. Addus will also assist with coordination and scheduling of medical procedures needed by members to close known Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) care gaps.

Commenting on the announcement, Dirk Allison, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Addus, stated, "We are pleased to enter this agreement with BCBSNM, to help achieve better health and financial results for BCBSNM as well as improved member satisfaction and outcomes. As a provider of comprehensive home-based care, we have a significant opportunity to work with the BCBSNM team to promote better outcomes. The "Stay Healthy at Home" program will benefit both our dedicated team of caregivers and the clients we serve across New Mexico. We look forward to working in partnership with BCBSNM, who shares our mission to provide quality, patient-centered care in the home."