Unique care model delivers medical, behavioral, and social care and support in the home 24/7 in collaboration with a child’s caregivers and existing health care providers
Imagine Pediatrics, a multidisciplinary, pediatrician-led medical group that surrounds children with medical complexity and special health care needs with 24/7 virtual-first care and support in the home, has launched in Texas and Florida and currently serves more than 20,000 children and families. In partnership with health plans, Imagine Pediatrics uses a first-of-its-kind value-based, population health payment model to bring 24/7 medical, behavioral, and social care and support to Medicaid-eligible patients – in collaboration with caregivers, providers, and community resources. The organization’s services come at no additional cost for patients and caregivers because they are part of a child’s existing health plan benefits. The Imagine Pediatrics approach improves access to high-quality care and helps children and their families spend less time in the hospital and more time at home and in their communities.
The medical group’s team of English- and Spanish-speaking doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, care team assistants, and other clinicians do not replace a child’s existing care team or medical home. Instead, they collaborate with providers to help reinforce existing care plans and address acute needs virtually when a child’s primary care team and specialists are unavailable. This extra layer of support helps ensure these children and their families get continuous care and support they need to avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room and urgent care.
“We are on a mission to reimagine pediatric health care together with caregivers, clinicians, health plans, and community resources,” said George Boghos, CEO, Imagine Pediatrics. “We know we can’t solve every challenge in the lives of our patients, but we can work tirelessly to give them, their families, and their clinicians the extra layer of help they need, right when they need it. We’re honored to be able to make a meaningful difference for so many kids and families, and have the opportunity to partner with visionary health care organizations that know this better approach to pediatric care is within reach.”
In its first 10 months of supporting children and their caregivers, Imagine Pediatrics is already demonstrating measurable impact in changing pediatric health outcomes and bending financial curves. The team has conducted more than 50,000 care interactions – including virtual and in-person visits and secure digital messages through the Imagine Pediatrics™ Mobile App – which have led to a 15% reduction in inpatient admissions and 20% reduction in total cost of care among engaged patients. The most prevalent patient conditions include asthma, cardiovascular disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and technology dependence (e.g., children who require a gastrostomy tube or ventilator).
Addressing a nationwide challenge
These results are significant given the current state of Medicaid expenditures on children with medical complexity. These children represent between 5-6% of kids covered under Medicaid, but account for approximately 33% of Medicaid expenditures on children. Due to the fragmented, uncoordinated, and at times inaccessible health care system, these kids often land in the hospital unnecessarily, driving heavy emergency room volume and health care costs higher, contributing to an already taxed pediatric health care system. This leaves children and their families with an unimaginable burden that the current system is not incentivized to help them carry.
“We are filling gaps in today’s health care system by giving patients and families easy access to customized and integrated services, without leaving home,” said Patricia Hayes, M.D., Chief Clinical Officer, Imagine Pediatrics. “Our approach is rooted in early intervention and continuous access to high-quality care and support, so parents and caregivers can find some peace of mind as they care for their children, day and night.”
Imagine Pediatrics currently serves children in Florida and Texas through innovative agreements with leading health plans and their provider networks.
About Imagine Pediatrics
Imagine Pediatrics is a first-of-its-kind solution that surrounds children with medical complexity and special health care needs with an extra layer of virtual-first care and support in the home. The medical group’s multidisciplinary, pediatrician-led team doesn’t replace the medical home or a child’s existing providers. Instead, they collaborate to deliver medical, behavioral, and social care and support to kids and their families 24/7, so they can spend less time in the hospital and more time at home and in their communities. Learn more at www.imaginepediatrics.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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