WATERTOWN — The Tufts Health Plan Foundation announced June 23 an investment of $80,000 to Saint Elizabeth Community in Providence to pilot WellCare, an initiative that coordinates care to help older adults living in subsidized housing manage their chronic diseases and live independently. By integrating health services across community-based organizations, the program aims to improve access to care for vulnerable populations.
“We invest in partnerships that bring together diverse leaders from business, nonprofits, government and the community to address community needs,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation and vice president, corporate citizenship for Tufts Health Plan. “These initiatives are inclusive, led by community, and represent true cross-sector collaboration. By leveraging foundation resources, grantees can implement promising practices and proven strategies – and accelerate progress.”
Based on the Support and Services at Home model developed in Vermont, WellCare relies on a multidisciplinary team of health care and community service providers who meet monthly to coordinate care. The goal is to improve health outcomes for older adult residents and save costs. The program has been shown to improve clinical outcomes, reduce hospitalizations and reduce the cost of care. A recent evaluation of the SASH model reported an average savings of $1,700 to $2,100 per Medicare member each year.
