In partnership with Acadian Health, the Louisiana Department of Health’s Medicaid program announces an emergency room (ER) utilization reduction pilot program launching this month across the 12 parishes comprising Region 4 (Acadiana) and Region 5 (Southwest Louisiana). The six-month program minimizes unnecessary ambulance calls and ER visits while ensuring access and quality care for the state’s most vulnerable health population.
“We took a close look at emergency room use by ‘super-utilisers’ over a one-year period and found opportunities to meet patient needs more effectively,” said LDH Secretary Michael Harrington. “Through this project, we will increase access and simplify care delivery while helping hospital emergency rooms to remain highly flexible and accessible.”
Recent data gathered by LDH’s Bureau of Health Services Financing shows that approximately 20% of the state’s Medicaid patients visit local emergency rooms on average 17 times per year, often for non-life-threatening situations or due to social factors, such as a lack of transportation.
The pilot program extends medical services from LDH’s six Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) to patient residences via urgent mobile care provided by Acadian Health, a Lafayette-based provider of in-home healthcare services. It treats sick but stable Medicaid patients at home, allowing providers to address non-medical drivers of health and reducing emergency room costs and crowding.
Effective February 10, 2025, Acadian Health will provide mobile urgent treatment for an array of non-life-threatening medical conditions, including sickle cell disease and other chronic diseases. Services will be provided daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for patients ages 13 and older.
“Acadian Health is honored to partner with the Louisiana Department of Health, its managed care organizations and their providers to deliver mobile integrated healthcare services to the patients who need it most,” Acadian Health Director of Business Development Rob Burnell said. “This collaboration allows us to provide high-quality, patient-centered care and education directly to residents across the state by serving as an extension of the healthcare community to ensure patients receive the comprehensive support they need in the convenience of their homes. Together, we are enhancing access to healthcare while lowering the costs, aligning goals to help improve outcomes, and are committed to providing support to patients throughout their healthcare journey.”
Acadian Health will be delivering a two-path program:
- Acute Care at Home is an on-demand service for patients who require same-day care within one hour. It serves as alternative care for non-traumatic hospitalizations for sick but stable patients who would otherwise seek care at the ER.
- Clinic at Home is a proactive visit scheduled in advance, usually 24 hours. This allows providers to extend specialty practice into patients’ homes, offering treatment at home and the ability to address non-medical drivers of health.
Acadian Health’s services include assessment, treatment and administration of medication. The program collaborates with primary care providers and area hospitals to extend medical practice into a patient’s home. Patients must be referred to the program by their provider, hospital or managed care organization.
For more information, such as a full listing of services provided, parishes served and reimbursable procedure codes, visit ldh.la.gov/healthathome.
LDH article link: https://ldh.la.gov/news/healthathome
