R-Health Selected as Key Contributor to National Report on Achieving Value through Advanced Primary Care

Local direct primary care provider only regional healthcare company to participate in comprehensive assessment of key strategies to improve patient health outcomes and increase employer value

ELKINS PARK, PA – April 28, 2020 –  R-Health, a leader in innovative advanced primary care solutions, participated in a national study revealing key attributes and strategies for employers to consider in order to provide healthcare focused on increased value for both patients and purchasers. The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance), a nonprofit network of business coalitions representing more than 12,000 purchasers and 45 million Americans, spending more than $300 billion annually on healthcare, this week released the resulting report, Achieving Value through Advanced Primary Care.

Through this study, five leading primary care organizations evaluated the main components of plans that successfully deliver improved health outcomes for patients and increased value for employers and other plan sponsors. R-Health, a provider of advanced primary care, was the only healthcare company to participate from Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

Central to the National Alliance’s findings are the following seven key attributes:

  • Enhanced Access for Patients
  • More Time with Patients
  • Realigned Payment Methods
  • Organizational & Infrastructure Backbone
  • Behavioral Health Integration
  • Disciplined Focus on Health Improvement
  • Referral Management

“While employers have always sought value for their health benefit dollars, the unprecedented revenue loss and business disruption for so many due to COVID-19 adds an even greater urgency to maximize the return on investment for their healthcare spend,” said Michael Thompson, president and CEO, National Alliance. “Optimally, advanced primary care programs can save employers as much as 15% of their overall healthcare costs while also providing a steady source of income to these critically important providers.”

R-Health’s approach, available to employers for a flat monthly fee, was founded to focus on the patient-physician relationship. Providers are not pressured to see a certain number of patients each day or complete required billing paperwork. Instead, they are valued for their commitment to building relationships with their patients. This also enables more opportunity to notice and treat chronic conditions and behavioral health issues among many other healthcare concerns.

“It was extremely beneficial for R-Health to take part in this assessment and contribute to highlighting the factors for success in providing advanced primary care,” said Mason Reiner, R-Health’s chief executive officer. “Our approach has made a distinct impact on patient health and employer savings and I credit our physicians for the compassionate and proactive care they provide to our patients on a daily basis, particularly as they calmly guide them through the current healthcare crisis.”

R-Health patients are often seen the same day they request an appointment and have direct access to their personal physicians day and night via Spruce, a secure mobile app that has been particularly critical in recent months as care has converted seamlessly to nearly 100% virtual.

HealthyData™, R-Health’s proprietary clinical intelligence platform, gives the clinical care team user-friendly access to data and information to make informed healthcare decisions. When necessary, providers refer patients to specialists, managing that process to ensure appointments are made and results are communicated. The R-Health team also carefully screens for and addresses population health risks and help bridge gaps in care by sharing relevant resources and following up regularly to assure treatment adherence and health maintenance.

Data has revealed that adults with a primary care physician have 33% lower healthcare costs and 19% lower risk of mortality than those who see only a specialist. The U.S. stands to save $67 billion annually if everybody relied on a primary care provider as their regular source of care. R-Health patients have an average of 260 office visits per 100 people per year compared to the CDC average of 63.7 office visits per 100 people per year for General & Family Practice – more than four times the national average.

“We appreciate that R-Health participated in this effort to promote measurement and transparency about the quality of care being delivered by advanced primary care provider organizations,” said Neil Goldfarb, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health, the local affiliate of the National Alliance, serving 52 employers in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware, with a collective 1.5 million covered lives. “The report highlights dimensions of performance that employers can use to assess their primary care networks and the health plans that build those networks. We encourage employers to steer their populations to providers who deliver high-quality care and who are willing to make their performance metrics available to the public.”

 

HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF FROM UV RAYS?

Some people think about sun protection only when they are spending the day at the beach, lake or pool. But did you know that the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes, even on slightly cloudy or cool days? We all need a gentle reminder to protect our skin not only in the summer months, but all year round.

Our skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects us against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection. According to the CDC, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., every year, nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer. However, most skin cancers are preventable if you take the necessary precautions.

If you’re wondering if it is possible to avoid the sun completely, it’s not possible or healthy. Our bodies need vitamin D to absorb calcium and promote bone growth and we get most of our vitamin D from the sun. Although we need the nutrients, there are ways to help ensure you’re not getting too much sun. If you’re going to be outside, reduce your exposure and risk for skin cancer by using the layered approach.

  • Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours when the sun’s UV rays are strongest
  • Protect your skin with clothing and wear a hat to protect your head, face, and neck
  • Wear sunglasses that block UV to protect your eyes and the skin around them
  • Use SPF 15 sunscreen or higher to help protect the skin that isn’t covered

It doesn’t matter your skin tone or age, anyone can get skin cancer. To ensure protection, make sure you are taking the necessary steps before heading outside.

Know the Difference Between a Cold & the Flu

I wanted to share some information to help clear up confusion regarding the difference between colds and flu. While the flu is widespread in NJ, we are seeing lots of colds and coughs unrelated to the flu. Knowing the difference and the severity of your symptoms can help you determine if you should be seen and what you should do.

The flu is a virus that causes a fever, cough, body aches, and congestion—symptoms are severe and long lasting. Although the common cold is caused by a virus and has similar symptoms, the symptoms are less severe and typically last up to a week.

Here are a few tips to prevent and treat the cold and flu:

  • Eat well – plenty of greens, and other fruits and veggies. Avoid processed foods and added sugar.
  • Stay well hydrated- with water and herbal teas
  • Get enough sleep
  • Meditate or do relaxation techniques daily
  • Stay positive, laugh often
  • Exercise moderately 20-40 minutes most days of the week
  • Wear a coat and cold weather gear
  • Consider probiotics – especially bifidobacter

To help boost your immune support at first sight of symptoms:

  • Vitamin C 500mg- 2-3 times per day
  • Elderberry- take 1-2 ml of Elderberry concentrate 3-4 times per day for 4-5 days
  • Zinc lozenge- every 2-3 hours while awake for 3 days

To help with symptoms when sick:

  • Steam inhalation with Eucalyptus or peppermint and chamomile
  • Use a nasal saline
  • Drink hot tea—ginger, peppermint, or chamomile
  • Use honey—take ½ -1 teaspoon as needed for cough
  • Use peppermint rubs on the chest or back
  • Eat bone broth – Beef bone broth and Yes! Chicken noodle soup does boost the immune system.
  • Treat a fever to feel comfortable – high temperatures help your immune system. Try a wet sock technique. Put on a wet pair of socks and a dry pair over top.  If needed, use the lowest effective dose of a fever reducer like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

It’s important to note that antibiotics work to kill bacteria and not viruses, so unfortunately, they are not effective for colds or the flu. We need to rely on our own bodies to take care of the infection. This is why it is so important to treat them right with rest, fluids and the right nutrients.

The flu can become serious so please reach out immediately if you have shortness of breath, confusion, severe headache or can’t keep fluids down—we are always available on Spruce. If you do visit our office and think you may have the flu, please request a mask.

Staying Hydrated in Cold Weather

When the temperature outside becomes freezing, the last thing on your mind is drinking a nice cold glass of water. However, dehydration doesn’t disfavor the cooler months. In fact, it may be easier to become dehydrated as the dry winter weather can lead to a decreased thirst sensation, causing you to drink less.

Up to 60% of the human adult body is made up of water, which is why our bodies need water in order to function properly. Staying hydrated is essential and beneficial for exercise, sleep, and so many other natural body functions. Drinking water can even give your immune system a boost and prevent you from getting sick during peak cold and flu season. Try these simple tips to help you stay hydrated this winter season:

  1. Carry a water bottle with you so you have an opportunity to drink more on the go
  2. If you are thirsty, don’t wait, stop and take a drink
  3. If your urine is dark, you may need to drink more water
  4. Drink mostly water; avoid alcohol and caffeine as these can cause dehydration
  5. Make sure to drink before, during, and after exercise

Hopefully, these five tips will be enough to remind you to keep your water intake up during the cooler months. Remember, stay hydrated so that you stay well!

4 Common Handwashing Mistakes

Handwashing is important to reduce the spread of infection.  We pick up infections daily by touching contaminated surfaces, then touch our hand to our mouth, nose, or eyes. There are some infections that are airborne, but most are spread through contact with the hands. According to the CDC, handwashing can prevent about 30% of diarrhea-related sicknesses and about 20% of respiratory infections.

Handwashing takes on an especially important role during the winter months, so I thought I’d share with you the 4 most common handwashing mistakes that people tend to overlook.

      1. Not washing when you should
        After using the bathroom is not the only time you should be washing your hands. You should be washing them before, during, and after preparing food, after touching garbage, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and after touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste.
      2. Not washing long enough
        Many people tend to wash their hands for only 5 or 10 seconds but scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds is recommended. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
      3.  Not completely drying your hands
        Drying your hands is an essential part of handwashing. Germs love wet, moist areas so making sure your hands are fully dry will help prevent bacteria from spreading on your skin.
      4.  Touching germy surfaces directly after 
        If you wind up touching contaminated surfaces such as the faucet handles or door handle after handwashing, it becomes ineffective. Try using a paper towel when turning off the faucet or reaching for the door handle.

If you find yourself in a situation where there is no running water, use hand sanitizer. It doesn’t work nearly as well as soap and water, but does help.

No matter where you find yourself, good hand hygiene can protect and prevent you, your family, and others from illnesses.

 

 

3 Ways to Lower your A1C

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that approximately 84 million American adults—more than 1 out of 3—have prediabetes. Having prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. With November being National Diabetes Awareness Month, you can imagine why I’d want to bring attention to your A1C levels.  By lowering your A1C levels you can help reduce the risk or intensity of any diabetes complications.

For those who may not know, A1C is one of the primary blood tests used to diagnose Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and then, when diagnosed, used to gauge how well you’re managing your diabetes. The A1C test is also great for determining the likelihood that someone will develop diabetes.

Here’s how it works. Once your blood is drawn it is used to measure how much sugar is attached to the hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. The higher the percentage, the higher your blood sugar levels, and the higher the risk of developing diabetes or an increase of complications.

There are several ways to get your A1C down. You can start by making some small adjustments to your everyday lifestyle to help you reach a healthy A1C number and avoid diabetes complications. Here’s 3 proactive changes to get you started.

  1. Create a diabetes management plan with your doctor which should include your medication list, target blood glucose levels, and a plan on how to correct low blood sugars.
  2. Track what you eat. Most foods, aside from lean proteins, contain some sugar. By learning how to balance and spread out carbohydrates evenly throughout the day, you can maintain healthy A1C levels.
  3. Get active and get others involved. It is easier to adopt to new changes if you have someone to motivate and keep you on the right path to a more active lifestyle.

It’s ok to go off track a little bit, as we’re all human, but try to be mindful as your health depends on it. To create a diabetes management plan or to discuss your A1C levels, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor.

 

Prevent a Sinus Infection—Head on

One of the most common conditions that patients seek medical care for is a sinus infection. The uncomfortable pressure, tenderness and lack of oxygen able to pass through your nose is experienced by 31 million people in the U.S., according to the American College or Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. To prevent a trip to the doctor’s office, it’s important patients understand how to prevent a sinus infection.

Sinuses are a system of connected hollow spaces in your head that link to the nasal passages via small channels. Sinus infections occur when fluid is trapped in the sinuses, interfering with drainage and causing mucus to build up, which allows germs to grow. Usually caused by a virus, to diagnosis someone with a sinus infection requires an examination of the throat, nose and sinuses. Your doctor may look for nasal obstruction, difficulty breathing through your nose, and pain and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead.

Patients can take the necessary steps to prevent a sinus infection including:

  • Practice good hand hygiene
  • Avoid close contact with people who have colds or other upper respiratory infections
  • Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Use a clean humidifier to moisten the air at home
  • Work with your doctor to manage your allergies to keep symptoms under control

Although a doctor must examine you to determine if you have a sinus infection, most people don’t need to see a doctor. The infection, in most cases, will resolve itself within a week to 10 days. If you’re experiencing symptoms longer than 10 days, contact your doctor to get examined, as you may require additional attention.

4 Strategies for Enjoying, Not Overindulging, on Thanksgiving

Countless times we find ourselves off track from our healthy lifestyle, especially around the holidays. Tempted by so much delicious food, it can be especially hard to maintain or even introduce healthier eating and exercise habits.

To put things into perspective, a Thanksgiving meal on average will contain about 2,500 – 3,000 calories, not including the countless appetizers or snacks you had beforehand. That is about double the average of what we should be intaking in one day! Thankfully, you can still enjoy the Thanksgiving feast by following these simple tips on how to navigate the big meal.

  • Limit the carbs

This does not mean eliminate them. The key is not to have all of them in one meal and only indulging in one carb side such as macaroni and cheese, stuffing, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes. Don’t deprive yourself, just be responsible.

  • Choose more vegetables

Be creative, you can make your vegetables more festive. Look for new recipes and try something different. It’s fun to experiment with food. By enjoying more vegetable dishes on your plate, you won’t miss the carbs as much. Butternut squash, and cauliflower, riced or smashed, are excellent options to replace the carbs.

  • Remember it does not have to be a one-day event

Leftovers taste even better. You can always eat one of the carb side dishes with each meal over the next 3 days after Thanksgiving. Then you’ll get a chance to taste everything without over indulging.

  • Activity is important

Eat earlier in the day, then you’ll have more time to burn off the calories. After you finish the meal, don’t just sit around. Help clean up the kitchen and go for a walk. This is another time you can be creative by planning some social activities that will get everyone involved and moving. Make it fun.

Enjoy yourself this Thanksgiving and do it in a way that you can feel great about yourself and your health.

Q&A: 10 Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask Your Doctor

Something that is always talked about in Direct Care is the doctor-patient relationship. But how can patients get to know their doctor on a more personal level? Asking questions is one of the best ways to ensure you and your doctor are on the same page and a great way for you to get to know your doctor on a more personal level.

Meet Dr. Kimberly Jones-Mudd, you can call her Dr. Jones. She joined R-Health Ewing last month as a Board-certified Family Physician. You’ll find that Dr. Jones enjoys partnering with her patients to help them achieve their best health, and prefers to take a holistic approach incorporating mind, body, and spirit when creating a plan of care. But, to ensure Dr. Jones’ patients really know her, we asked 10 questions that you most likely always wanted to ask your doctor, yet never did.

 

Q: How did you end up going into medicine?

Jones: My decision to become a family medicine physician was a calling. Those who know me well will say I spoke of becoming a doctor in elementary school. I looked at other options after graduation from undergrad, but nothing gave me the same fulfillment. I feel compelled to serve others, help people lead healthy lives, and provide the assistance to help with healing when illness occurs.

 

Q: What would you be doing if you hadn’t gone into medicine?

Jones: I’d probably considered law. I was a Political Science Major.

 

Q: What job would you be terrible at?

Jones: IT, research, or anything that lacks day-to-day human interaction.

 

Q: What is one stereotype about doctors that you’d like to put to rest?

Jones: I would like people to know that not all physicians are judgemental and while we act as guides in offering care, the patient has autonomy in making decisions.

 

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

Jones: All things Hallmark. If someone were to turn on my TV at any given point, it would most likely be on the Hallmark Channel.

 

Q: What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?

Jones: I wouldn’t call it a hobby, but I have always wanted to learn sign language.

 

Q: Do you have any pets or kids?

Jones: I have a 6-year-old daughter and a dog.

 

Q: How different was your life one year ago?

Jones: My life has been stable since my daughter was born. It just gets busier in juggling her extracurricular activities.

 

Q: What are you most likely to become famous for?

Jones: I have no desire to be famous. However, I hope when people think of me, professionally and personally, they see my desire to help others as the thing that motivates me.

 

Q: Who inspires you to be better?

Jones: My daughter, because I want to serve as a role model for her.

 

To learn more about Dr. Jones, visit https://www.r-health.md/dr-jones/.

Do I need the flu shot?

Still deciding whether you should get the flu shot? Just about everyone needs ones and it offers countless benefits.

Every year, a small needle prick can lower your risk of getting the flu while also protecting the people around you. It’s important that you get the flu shot yearly because the flu viruses are constantly changing and over time your immunity decreases.

Most people have heard of the flu but don’t know the extent of its severity. If you catch the flu it could result in hospitalization or even death. Here are some statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that may encourage you to get your flu vaccination this year.

  • During the 2016–2017 season, vaccination prevented an estimated 5.3 million illnesses, 2.6 million medical visits, and 85,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations.
  • A 2017 study was the first of its kind to show that flu vaccination can significantly reduce a child’s risk of dying from influenza.
  • A 2018 study showed that among adults hospitalized with flu, vaccinated patients were 59% less likely to be admitted to the ICU than those who had not been vaccinated. Among adults in the ICU with flu, vaccinated patients on average spent 4 fewer days in the hospital than those who were not vaccinated.

It is recommended that you try to get the flu vaccine by the end of October. However, if you don’t get the vaccine by then, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.  You can get vaccinated at any time throughout the flu season. But don’t wait too long, it takes 2 weeks for your body to develop immunity after you get the flu shot. Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or local pharmacy and get vaccinated today.