MD Home Health, a 39-year-old home health agency, has launched omnichannel home health services, what it says is a first for Phoenix and Arizona. The new offerings will include remote patient monitoring, telehealth, a brick-and-mortar clinic at HonorHealth Scottsdale, and traditional in-home services.
President and CEO David P. Tusa, who joined MD Home Health in 2022, spoke with us about the motivation behind embracing the omnichannel approach, what the telehealth component looks like, what the remote patient monitoring component looks like, and how outcomes should improve with the addition of these healthcare technologies.
Q. What motivated you to embrace the omnichannel approach in home healthcare?
A. Several key factors are reshaping healthcare today, creating new demands on the existing infrastructure and care delivery systems. As the population ages and life expectancy increases, delivering high-quality care that achieves optimal health outcomes, enhances patient experiences, and reduces costs is essential for the future of healthcare in the U.S.
At the same time, technology is advancing rapidly, and trends like the growing shift toward healthcare at home and the consumerization of healthcare – where patients expect greater convenience in accessing quality care – are driving the industry change. Experts predict by 2035, up to 50% of healthcare will be delivered in the home, including hospital-at-home models where patients receive hospital-grade care in their own homes.
By that same year, 26% of the U.S. population will be over the age of 65, and 95% of seniors will have at least one chronic condition, with 80% managing two or more. This population will require cost-effective care that helps them maintain their health and independence at home, and they will demand a variety of care options that fit their lifestyle.
These trends led us to pivot from a traditional home health agency to an omnichannel approach. Our transformation is rooted in readiness and serving local marketplace needs.
Our model now includes not only traditional in-home healthcare but also in-clinic care, virtual care, remote patient monitoring, and, coming later this fall, house calls and hospice services.
This transformation positions us to meet the evolving needs of our community here in the Phoenix metro area, ensuring we provide accessible high-quality care across multiple channels. Our shift is about readiness – being proactive and preparing to meet both current and future healthcare needs.
Q. What does the telehealth component look like and how does it fit into the bigger approach?
A. Think about the last time you had a minor illness – such as a cold, sore throat or mild infection. Did you really want to leave the house to sit in a doctor’s office waiting room? The pandemic fundamentally changed the way people view and wish to consume healthcare, and it showed us all that many conditions can be effectively treated from the comfort of home.
Now, as we move forward post-pandemic, patients are expecting even more convenience and flexibility in how they access care.
Our virtual care system is designed to meet that demand for Phoenix-based patients. It’s fully HIPAA-compliant, ensuring patient privacy, and is built on a user-friendly platform developed in partnership with Healow.
This technology allows patients to connect with healthcare providers virtually, whether it’s for routine checkups, managing chronic conditions or addressing more immediate concerns. It streamlines care by offering quick and secure access to quality healthcare.
However, virtual care is just one piece of the puzzle. We are also bringing back the house call. Later this fall, we are offering in-person house calls and remote house calls with the use of MedWand connected technology, which enables our providers – doctors and nurse practitioners – to conduct a remote house call with all the clinical-grade data needed from body temperature to ECG/EKG readings. The MedWand also has an ultra high-definition camera to capture images of the throat, ears, nose, skin and more.
For many patients, particularly those who need more hands-on care, we’ve integrated house calls as part of our broader omnichannel approach. House calls provide the hands-on care that some patients require but might find difficult to access due to mobility issues, lack of transportation, or simply the desire to avoid exposure in clinical settings. For patients who may need assistance with the MedWand, a medical assistant can come to their home to assist.
All our omnichannel solutions work together. For instance, a patient may start with a telehealth consultation to evaluate their condition, and if necessary, we can seamlessly coordinate a house call, in-person clinic visit or more regularized home healthcare. This hybrid approach ensures patients receive the care they need when and where they need it.
Ultimately, virtual care fits into our larger omnichannel strategy by expanding access to care and providing patients with more choices. It allows us to meet patients where they are.
Q. What does the remote patient monitoring component look like and how does it fit into the bigger approach?
A. Remote patient monitoring is a foundational part of our omnichannel healthcare approach and it’s available for our home health patients. For patients who need it, RPM allows clinicians to continuously track and manage patients’ health in real time by using smart connected devices that monitor key vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and oxygen levels.
This data is made available to providers, giving them the ability to spot early warning signs and intervene before conditions worsen. This proactive care can prevent complications, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
For home health patients who require ongoing monitoring – whether they are recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions or dealing with multiple health issues – RPM is a strong solution.
What makes RPM especially powerful is its ability to keep patients healthier at home, reducing the likelihood of hospital readmissions or emergency room visits. By monitoring patients around the clock, we can address concerns early, adjust treatment plans in real time, and provide personalized, data-driven care tailored to their unique needs.
In the bigger picture, RPM reinforces our omnichannel approach by allowing us to offer proactive, patient-centered care. Whether a home health patient is using RPM alongside virtual check-ins or it’s paired with in-home services, RPM ensures they’re receiving the right care at the right time – wherever they are. This not only enhances the overall patient experience but also empowers patients to manage their health and to remain independent in their homes.
Q. How will outcomes improve with the addition of these healthcare technologies? What are your goals?
A. As healthcare technology continues to advance, it’s transforming how care is accessed and delivered. Whether through faster, more accurate access to patient data, improving healthcare accessibility, or using innovative diagnostic tools and devices, technology plays a critical role in improving patient outcomes, reducing costs and enhancing the overall care experience.
Our primary goal is to expand services that make high-quality healthcare more convenient, accessible and cost-effective, all while driving better health outcomes and increasing patient satisfaction. By evolving from a traditional home healthcare provider to an organization offering a comprehensive range of services – such as in-person visits, virtual care, remote patient monitoring, house calls and hospice care – we are better equipped to meet the needs of our growing aging population, particularly here in Arizona.
This omnichannel care model allows us to offer personalized, proactive care that keeps patients healthier and more independent, while reducing hospitalizations and emergency visits. Ultimately, these technologies empower patients to engage more actively in their own care, which improves outcomes and quality of life. In fact, a study published in BMJ Open medical journal has shown that connected care technologies like RPM can reduce hospitalizations for patients with cardiac and COPD conditions.
Patients using RPM often enhance self-management for chronic conditions by allowing patients to track their vitals at home and stay engaged with their care teams, which boosts adherence to treatment plans. Such engagement translates into better health outcomes and reduced hospitalizations.
In the bigger picture, our company’s transformation not only positions us to better serve our patients here in Arizona but also aligns with the broader goals of the healthcare industry: improving care quality, using new technologies, lowering costs and making healthcare more accessible for everyone. These technologies are critical to achieving those aims, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of that change.
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