Comprehensive Health Assessment Plays Vital Role in Healthcare for Health First
By Space Coast Daily // August 12, 2019
The one-hour health assessment caters to Health First Health Plans member’s availability
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – One of the first steps in delivering excellent patient care begins with a Comprehensive Health Assessment. Since 2011, Health First has used this tool to help members maintain and improve their health by focusing on their unique needs.
“I think it’s a fantastic program,” said Laura Breisch, Health First Health Plans’ Vice President of Performance and Improvement.
The one-hour health assessment caters to a member’s availability, and, most often, home visits can be scheduled at their convenience.
During that time, critical steps are taken by closely looking at members from A to Z – anything from social concerns, fall risks, a mental health exam, reviewing medications and their overall health, Breisch said.
CHAs are an integral part of preventive healthcare and focus on early detection of health challenges where early intervention and treatments are most effective.
“It’s not addressing a certain problem, it’s addressing the patient as a whole,” Breisch said. Since 2011, the number of members taking advantage of this free service has increased.
In 2018, more than 16,000 members received a CHA, which complements their annual Primary Care Physician (PCP) visits.
“If a member gets a CHA, they’re 75% more likely to go back to their PCP within 90 days,” Breisch said. “In a way, this gives the member and their PCP a head start on the path to treatment.”
The health assessment was extended to Health First Medical Group in 2013. The same year, a CHA clinic was formed.
Breisch strongly believes in the service – so much so that members receive a $50 gift card incentive just for undergoing the annual assessment.
“That’s how much we believe it’s important to our members,” Breisch said. “We want to empower them by not just highlighting their health, but also identifying risk factors before they become serious health problems.”
To learn more information on how to schedule your Comprehensive Health Assessment, CLICK HERE.
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