A Discussion with Dr. Steven Landers about Home Health During the COVID-19 Crisis

While our nation continues to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, the home health community is working aggressively to protect patients, front-line home health workers, and the communities we serve. As an community of highly skilled professionals caring for vulnerable populations with disabilities and multiple chronic conditions, home healthcare agencies are uniquely qualified to treat individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. And with more Americans becoming vulnerable to contracting COVID-19, home health represents a safe and available care setting for at-risk populations.

The Partnership spoke with Dr. Steven Landers, President and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, Inc., about how home health providers are reaching existing home health patients as well as COVID-19 positive individuals and families during this public health crisis.

See the interview here:

 

We asked Dr. Landers the following questions:

• What are your overall observations about how the COVID crisis has impacted home health patients and providers? (0:24)
• Some of the patients most at risk of COVID-19 transmission, such as older Medicare beneficiaries and those with multiple chronic conditions, are also the most in need of home health. How are you continuing to reach your patients during this time? (3:20)
• Can you talk a little bit about the skilled care you are able to provide patients in the home? (6:54)
• In addition to your existing patients, home health can also help at-risk populations during this crisis. How are home health providers helping vulnerable patients remain home to avoid exposure? (10:20)
• Can you share an example of a home health provider going above and beyond, or a patient story that has resonated with you? (12:11)
• What are some of the biggest barriers or issues your frontline home health and hospice providers are reporting? (17:16)
• If you could share one message with Congress and policymakers about home health’s role in this crisis, what would it be? (21:16)

While Congress and CMS have taken significant steps to provide regulatory relief to enable expanded access to home health and ensure patient safety, more must be done to fully unleash home health in the fight against COVID-19. Send an email now asking your policymakers to optimize the use of this skilled care during the pandemic.