The Transformative Power of In-Home Health Evaluations
By Heidi Schwarzwald, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, Signify Health
As a physician, I have spent my career learning that a person’s health is determined by so much more than what we see during a brief exam in a clinic. While traditional office visits are vital, they can often lack the one thing both patients and doctors crave most: time. This is why I am such a strong advocate for In-Home Health Evaluations (IHEs) offered by Signify Health.
A Personal Story: Carol and John
I recently witnessed the power of this approach through the story of Carol and John, a couple married for nearly 60 years. Like many older adults, their health needs became more complex as they aged. John was diagnosed with diabetes and Parkinsonism syndrome, which requires him to use a wheelchair. For them, the logistics of getting to a doctor’s office became a significant hurdle.
Through their Medicare Advantage plan, Carol and John were able to schedule an IHE. Unlike a standard office-based health care appointment, the IHE brings an experienced physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant from Signify’s national clinician network directly to the member’s home at no additional cost.
Carol expressed her appreciation, saying, “I really like the fact that my husband and I see a Signify clinician together. She spent time with us talking about our general well-being, rather than focusing on just one specific issue.”
A New Chapter in Preventive Care
The essence of an IHE lies in its holistic approach. When we sit down at a health plan member’s kitchen table or living room couch, we aren’t just conducting health tests and checking vitals; we are listening. Our clinicians may spend up to an hour with a person—often more than a traditional office visit allows. This gives us the opportunity to uncover what we call “the full picture” of their health.
IHEs are a valuable health service designed to ensure that people receive the care, screening, and follow-up support they need.
Connecting the Dots
During an IHE visit, we often identify issues that might be overlooked in an office setting. We review all medications to prevent adverse interactions, conduct testing and screening for chronic conditions, and assess potential safety concerns in the home, such as trip hazards or inadequate lighting that could lead to falls.
Our clinicians can capture over 300 clinical and social data points about a member’s health. This information is not meant to replace a member’s regular doctor; rather, it’s intended to support them. After every visit, we share a summary with the member, their primary care provider, and health plan, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of needs and facilitating further coordination of care.
Supporting the Whole Family
One of the most rewarding aspects of the IHE is the support it can offer to caregivers. During Carol and John’s in-home health visit, our clinician noticed that Carol was feeling overwhelmed and anxious due to the demands of caregiving.
Because our clinician was in her home, she could have an honest conversation about not only Carol’s physical health but also her emotional and mental well-being. The clinician encouraged Carol to connect with her own primary care provider for additional support, a need that might have remained hidden otherwise.
The IHE starts with a conversation between the member and clinician, allowing for a deeper exploration of subtle and easily overlooked health challenges that may not come up organically during a traditional office visit. For Carol and John, it also opened important lines of communication between them. As Carol put it, “After 58 years, it’s good to hear each other tell someone else what their concerns are. It helps us understand what each one of us is going through.”
Your Health, Your Home
The feedback we receive from health plan members who complete an IHE with Signify Health across the country is overwhelmingly positive: 70% of people who complete an IHE say they would do it again, underscoring the value of in-home health visits.
I believe that by meeting people where they are, we can help them stay exactly where they want to be—healthy, independent, and at home.
Are you or a loved one eligible for an IHE? I encourage you to take a moment to prioritize your health from the comfort of your own home. Check your eligibility for a no-cost In-Home Health Evaluation by visiting HelloSignify.com or calling 1-855-984-5121 today.
