Respond In 150 Words

Prof Green and class, a group that would benefit from health information are those who have family members in nursing homes, whether skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), assisted living facilities, or independent living – any facility that has medical care onsite and the patient/resident has private insurance, or an HMO as a payer for these services. I would target and address the local facilities for an opportunity to educate the patients, but more specifically, their adult children on how to best navigate the health care system locally and best provide care for their loved ones.

I would work with a medical vendor (I used to be a rep) to provide lunch/dinner and use the facility to provide workshop services available to the residents and their families. I would use information provided by the Health Plans (free) and IPAs (free) as well as online sources (free) that will explain the power of choice, plan options/costs, as well as IPA (provider) options/costs. Choosing a plan and IPA is not only choosing a primary care provider (PCP), but also a hospital, and other ancillary and ambulatory providers, so understanding the individual provider directories in conjunction with knowledge of local, quality providers and facilities will help when making these choices. This includes nursing home services for both short-term and long-term disabilities.

The information and workshop could be provided for free, however, revenue could derive from the local, better quality IPAs and Health Plans, where they are discussed with other options, but quality scores highlighted. It is important to continue to educate the public on how to best navigate the health care system through choice and access with an eye on quality. Nursing home care and long term care are important aspects of this education and I feel should be addressed in the manner outlined herein.