In this podcast episode, host Bryce Barger interviews Glenn Wirick, Chief Commercial Officer at Adhere Health, focusing on leveraging technology to improve healthcare outcomes for high-need patients. Glenn shares personal experiences driving his passion for addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and highlights Adhere Health’s success in increasing medication adherence through addressing SDOH barriers. He emphasizes the importance of integrating SDOH considerations into every aspect of care delivery and leveraging data and technology for effective interventions. The conversation also touches on community engagement and the role of technological interventions in promoting health equity. Glenn closes with optimism about future advancements in improving healthcare outcomes for all Americans.

KEY MOMENTS

Introduction

• Glenn Wirick shares a personal experience with cancer patients in rural areas who face challenges with lodging, food, and income during treatments.
• Emphasis on the importance of medical adherence for better health outcomes and reduced emergency room visits.
• Focus on addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) to improve healthcare experiences for members.

Adhere Health’s Mission

• Glenn Wirick, Chief Commercial Officer at Adhere Health, aims to leverage technology to enhance healthcare outcomes for high-need patients.
• Adhere Health focuses on improving medical adherence performance and increasing Medicare star ratings.
• The company works with health plans, payers, and providers to drive revenue growth and positive healthcare outcomes.

Successful Initiative

• Adhere Health’s approach involves addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) barriers to improve medical adherence.
• Example of a Medicare Advantage plan where focusing on SDOH first led to a significant increase in medical adherence rates.
• Impactful results with over 35% of previously unadhered members becoming adherent, resulting in better healthcare experiences and meeting plan metrics.

Identifying SDOH

• Importance of integrating SDOH considerations into every aspect of healthcare for all members.
• Utilizing data tools to identify and address SDOH barriers to drive better clinical outcomes.
• Compassionate motivational interviewing to understand and resolve SDOH-related challenges faced by members.

Community Empowerment

• Leveraging data to drive actionable insights for improved health outcomes based on patient’s zip code.
• Importance of community engagement and collaboration in addressing SDOH barriers for better healthcare outcomes.
• Continuous improvement through leveraging partners and available data to enhance community health.

Health Equity and Technology

• Discussion on the significance of Health Equity in Medicare and the Health Equity Index (HEI) for health plans.
• Technological interventions play a crucial role in promoting Health Equity by identifying and resolving SDOH barriers.
• Tracking ongoing results through technological solutions to improve health outcomes and meet CMS standards.

Challenges in Technological Interventions

• Rapid advancements in the healthcare technology space offer various solutions for addressing SDOH barriers.
• Importance of selecting solution partners with a data-driven focus and multimodal intervention capabilities.
• Considerations for leveraging technology to meet the diverse needs of members through personalized outreach methods.