Daniel values her role with HealthSpring ™s 360 Physical program. I felt like this is what I ™ve always wanted to do, she said. I get to actually sit down with the patients to take the time to listen to them and answer any questions they have.

HealthSpring Executive Vice President Shawn Morris said the 360 Physical is part of the Medicare plan ™s drive to focus on prevention and early intervention. We know it ™s better for everyone if our members get regular preventive care and exams to catch problems early, he said. Our primary goal is to help our members stay as healthy as possible. The 360 Physical is designed to make it easy for members who have certain health risks to receive quality preventive care. We then combine that with a strong emphasis on helping members build relationships with their primary care providers.

HealthSpring began the 360 Physical as a pilot program in its Texas market in late 2008, HealthSpring Chief Medical Officer Dirk Wales said. It has been exceptionally well-received by members and has now been rolled out to all HealthSpring markets. About 16,000 total home visits have been conducted so far through the program, Wales said.

HealthSpring members with certain high-risk medical conditions or who have not seen a primary care provider in the past six months to a year qualify for the 360 Physical. The visiting nurse takes a detailed medical history and conducts a thorough head-to-toe physical exam, including a key exam to check circulation in the feet for diabetic members.

Mr. Lusk ™s story is encouraging, because it tells us we really are making a difference by proactively sending care out to members, Dirk Wales said. This is why we do what we do: to protect our members ™ health so they can live long, full lives.

Source: HealthSpring