Tel-Assurance Program Reduces Hospital Admissions and Healthcare Costs

Henry Ford Health System's adoption of Tel-Assurance, a device-free remote patient monitoring platform, has shown promising results in reducing hospital admissions and healthcare costs for enrolled heart failure patients. The program, which began using Tel-Assurance in July 2008 as part of its Patient-Centered Medical Home model, has resulted in a 36% reduction in expected all-cause hospital admissions for enrolled heart failure patients after six months of enrollment. The program's return on investment was calculated to be 2.3:1, indicating that the costs of the program were significantly lower than the savings generated.

Key Takeaways:

• The Henry Ford Health System's Tel-Assurance program resulted in a 36% reduction in expected all-cause hospital admissions for enrolled heart failure patients after six months of enrollment.
• The program's return on investment was calculated to be 2.3:1, indicating that the costs of the program were significantly lower than the savings generated.
• Tel-Assurance, a device-free remote patient monitoring platform, improves care coordination and drives dramatic clinical improvement and cost savings.
• The program is a cost-effective and simple to use solution for healthcare providers, proven to reduce healthcare costs and avoidable hospital admissions for chronic condition patients.
• Despite serving diverse populations, Tel-Assurance clients nationwide, like Henry Ford, generate admission rates well below national averages.
• Lowering hospital admission rates by averting unnecessary hospitalizations is a key aim of the national healthcare reform discussions.
• The program allows healthcare providers to take better care of patients with chronic conditions, such as heart failure, outside of the hospital and keep beds open for other patients.
• Henry Ford plans to extend and expand the program across its organization based on the successes seen.

Statistics:

• 36% reduction in expected all-cause hospital admissions for enrolled heart failure patients after six months of enrollment.
• 2.3:1 return on investment ratio for the program, indicating significant cost savings.
• 2008: the year in which the Henry Ford Health System began using Tel-Assurance.
• July 21, 2008: the date in which Henry Ford's Tel-Assurance program began.
• December 31, 2008: the end date of the reporting period for the program.

Sources:

• Pharos Innovations press release, 2009
• Marketwire, "Pharos Innovations Announces Results of Patient-Centered Team Care Program" (press release), September 8, 2009.