NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amerigroup Tennessee has engaged Aspire Health to offer qualified Amerigroup Medicaid members palliative care services. Palliative care is medical care that relieves pain, symptoms and stress caused by serious illnesses. Amerigroup Tennessee members who qualify for palliative care services will have a customized care plan designed for them and will receive 24/7 support from a team of Aspire Health doctors, nurses, social workers, care coordinator, spiritual leaders and others who use proven methods to help relieve suffering and improve quality of life.
“Amerigroup Tennessee is focused on ensuring that our members have appropriate care that meets their individualized needs, and we are pleased that Aspire Health will be working with us to deliver that individualized care by customizing care plans for some of our most vulnerable members,” said Al King, president of Amerigroup Tennessee.
Amerigroup members who are primary candidates for palliative care are people who are suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney failure, liver failure, advanced dementia, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). When Amerigroup identifies a member who is eligible for palliative care, education about the program is provided to the member and/or the member’s family. If the member chooses to enroll in the program, an Aspire Health practitioner will conduct an in-person assessment and assemble a care team that will directly interact with the member to address physical, mental and social needs. Program participants will receive 24/7 support, including 24/7 telephonic access to doctors or advance practice providers who can assess a serious medical situation and schedule as-needed visits in the event of an urgent situation or crisis. Amerigroup will receive weekly reports on the member’s progress from Aspire Health and play an active role in ensuring the member’s needs are being addressed.
“Aspire Health’s purpose is to provide an extra layer of support to Amerigroup members and their families as they deal with serious illness, and to ensure that they receive the care that is best for them, in the location that works best for them, at the time they need it,” said Brad Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Aspire Health. “We are confident that our work with Amerigroup will revolutionize care for people who are seriously ill, and help people live longer, better lives.”
Working collaboratively with Amerigroup and members' primary doctors, Aspire Health clinicians focus on managing symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping and depression. Aspire Health has built a comprehensive provider network of clinicians who are experts in symptom management, patient-family communications, advanced care planning, coordination with other medical professionals and support services, as well as medical crisis prevention and urgent response. Data collected by Aspire Health has shown that their services help people gain the strength they need to carry on with daily life and tolerate medical treatment, navigate the healthcare system, and make difficult and complex treatment choices. Research has also demonstrated that seriously ill people who take advantage of palliative care services tend to have a better quality of life and improved health outcomes.
ABOUT AMERIGROUP TENNESSEE
Amerigroup Tennessee helps improve health care access and quality for nearly 410,000 Tennessee residents who participate in the state’s various Medicaid programs. Amerigroup serves Tennesseans by developing and delivering innovative care management programs and services. Amerigroup Tennessee members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. It provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their health care. For more information about Amerigroup, please visit our website at www.Amerigroup.com.
ABOUT ASPIRE HEALTH
Aspire Health is a new health care company that specializes in providing an extra layer of support to patients facing a serious illness. Aspire’s clinicians are experts in providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness; helping patients and caregivers navigate the healthcare system; guiding patients and caregivers through difficult and complex treatment choices and providing emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families. For more information about Aspire Health and its services, please visit www.aspirehealthcare.com.
