In-home health assessments offer a personalized approach to care, helping members address their physical, mental, and social health concerns in a comfortable setting. We recently spoke with three of our most experienced nurse practitioners (NPs) to learn more about their work conducting these assessments. Each NP shared their firsthand experiences and insights into the unique benefits in-home visits bring to members’ health and well-being.
Here’s what they had to say:
1. Do most members appreciate the extra time spent with you during in-home health assessments? What kind of feedback do you typically hear from them?
“Absolutely,” shared one NP. “Members often appreciate the relaxed atmosphere of the home visit. They feel heard and not rushed.” This 45 to 60-minute extended care interaction allows members to address multiple health concerns, ask questions, and receive tailored care.
Another shared a story of a member who remarked, “This is the most thorough exam I’ve ever received,” emphasizing the personalized care these visits provide. “Members are incredibly grateful for the time,” added another NP. “It allows us to discuss their health in more detail, and they appreciate the advocacy and fresh perspective we bring.”
In-home health assessments allow members to receive care in the comfort and convenience of their own homes. Members tend to feel more relaxed in a familiar environment, so they are more comfortable having meaningful, open discussions about their health.
Members often appreciate the relaxed atmosphere of the home visit. They feel heard and not rushed.
– Advantmed NP
2. Can you share an example of how in-home health assessments can help identify health issues early and prevent potential complications or hospitalizations?
“Members don’t always have the chance to share all of their concerns with their PCP in one visit,” one NP pointed out. “The in-home assessment allows them to bring up multiple issues without needing separate appointments.” This proactive approach can catch health issues earlier and prevent conditions from worsening or later requiring hospitalization.
Early intervention is one of the biggest advantages, as explained by another NP: “In one case, I noticed signs that a member’s condition was worsening, which they hadn’t mentioned to their doctor yet. By addressing it during the home visit, we were then able to connect them with their provider before it turned into a more serious issue.”
These visits often occur between regular doctor’s appointments, offering additional opportunities to address members’ health concerns and promote proactive care. In-home visits provide further support to the care that members receive from their primary care provider (PCP).
What we see in the home environment often provides insights that wouldn’t come up in a clinical setting. Being in their home helps us gather more complete and accurate information.
– Advantmed NP
3. How valuable is it for members that mental health and social determinants of health (SDoH) are assessed during in-home visits?
“What we see in the home environment often provides insights that wouldn’t come up in a clinical setting,” one NP noted. “Being in their home helps us gather more complete and accurate information.”
This comprehensive approach allows clinicians to address each member’s unique challenges. “For instance, I’ve encountered members struggling with food insecurity and was able to provide them with information about local food banks,” one NP shared. Another reflected on meeting a housebound member who was unaware of available support services: “They were relieved to learn that help was accessible.”
Additionally, the extended time spent during home visits allows NPs to assess members’ mental health in a familiar setting. One NP recalled meeting several members dealing with depression and successfully referring them to their health plan’s case management team for additional support and follow-up.
By observing members’ living conditions firsthand, in-home health assessments enable clinicians to identify social barriers and connect members with resources tailored to their physical, mental, and social needs.
For instance, I’ve encountered members struggling with food insecurity and was able to provide them with information about local food banks.
– Advantmed NP
4. How important is it for members and health plans to have a complete picture of their health? How do in-home health assessments contribute to better health outcomes?
“We can spot new or worsening conditions early, often before they become more serious,” said one NP. “This also helps members make more informed decisions about their health.” The home setting encourages members to share details about their health or social needs that might otherwise remain hidden.
Another NP highlighted the ability to review medications: “We see lots of members who are prescribed multiple medications by different providers. These visits give us the chance to review those prescriptions and identify potential interactions or risks.”
The comprehensive data set collected through the assessment helps health plans address care gaps, such as missed screenings or unmanaged chronic conditions. This not only supports quality measures like HEDIS and Stars but also empowers members to take a more active role in their health, leading to better outcomes.
Conclusion
In-home health assessments go beyond routine check-ups, delivering personalized, holistic care in the comfort of members’ homes. By fostering meaningful conversations, addressing social determinants of health, and identifying early risks, these visits empower members to take charge of their health. Nurse practitioners see firsthand how in-home visits provide critical insights into members’ lives, bridging gaps that traditional care settings might miss.
At Advantmed, our credentialed clinicians use a dynamic questionnaire as part of our in-home health assessments to evaluate members’ physical health, mental well-being, and social needs. These personalized assessments provide health plans with valuable insights to address care gaps and improve outcomes for their populations.
Learn how we’re closing care gaps and increasing member engagement for health plans with in-home health assessments—click here to learn more.