CareATC Addressing COVID-19 with Expanded Virtual Services: Behavioral Health, Health Coaching and Direct-to-Home Prescription Delivery

TULSA, Okla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#behavioralhealth—CareATC, a leader in workforce population health management, is expanding services to address patient anxiety, manage stress and provide direct delivery of prescription medication in partnership with Northwind Pharmaceuticals.

While some worksite health companies are choosing to reduce service offerings, CareATC is choosing to expand services to ensure continuity of care.

“When others are looking for reasons not to provide care, we believe we’re here to provide care in a time of need. We’re being responsive, proactive and meeting the needs of CareATC patients. We’re not waiting for things to play out to be of service. We’re aiming to bring stability in an unprecedented time,” says Greg Bellomy, Chief Executive Officer at CareATC.

CareATC recently began offering COVID-19 test sites for clients and distributing COVID-19 Care Kits to patients with flu-like symptoms. The kits contain masks, gloves, ibuprofen and acetaminophen. While these services offer essential support to public health efforts, they remain largely reactive. CareATC is thinking ahead and employing proactive strategies to mitigate risk and expand care through health coaching and direct delivery of prescription medication.

Expanded Health Coaching and Behavioral Health Services

Health coaching services are traditionally known for supporting patients to live a healthier lifestyle, but CareATC has expanded the team’s role to help address the stress and anxiety that patients are facing during the pandemic.

“All of our health coaches are licensed clinical professionals, credentialed as Registered Dietitians, Registered Nurses, or Exercise Physiologists. Typically, our health coaches work with individuals one-on-one to help people reduce their risk for chronic disease,” says Dr. Kim Hutton, Chief Medical Officer at CareATC. “In the time of coronavirus, we are asking our health coaches to use their training and experience with motivational interviewing, chronic disease management, lifestyle management, and overall needs comprehension to assess their level of anxiety and stress.”

Typically, CareATC coaches will use motivational interviewing to assess a patient’s readiness to change behaviors, which leads to developing a plan of care for patients to reduce their risk for chronic disease. For patients identified as needing further assistance, CareATC health coaches triage these patients and provide access to further resources.

“For some patients, they may not know that they are at risk for chronic disease and we have learned that patients with heart disease and diabetes are at a higher risk for a negative outcome if they contract COVID-19,” says Nicole Kimble, CareATC Manager of Health & Wellness. “The health coach is a sounding board offering stress management and anxiety relief techniques.”

In early March, CareATC transitioned their health coaches to virtual encounters so there was no disruption in access for patients. In addition, CareATC has transitioned to health educational group classes targeting chronic conditions to the virtual format.

At-Home Delivery of Prescription Medications with Northwind Pharmaceuticals

Northwind Pharmaceuticals is partnering with CareATC to provide prescription medications delivered directly to patients’ homes.

“We’re helping to extend the value of what CareATC has already put in place with virtual primary care visits, health coaching, and now direct-access to prescription medication. Together, we’re helping patients maintain their health with vital medications while eliminating the need to visit a pharmacy,” says Phil Berry, CEO of Northwind Pharmaceuticals.

According to the company, access to medications through at home dispensing improves adherence by as much as 30%, saving self-funded employers critical healthcare dollars from employee non-adherence costs.

“This extended CareATC service to clients is especially beneficial to patients with chronic conditions who are a population most at risk for COVID-19 infection. By eliminating periodic visits to the pharmacy and improving medication adherence, we can support patient outcomes and provide stability during these uncertain times” says Betsy Bigler, RN, MSN, President and Chief Operating Officer for Northwind Pharmaceuticals.

About CareATC, Inc.

CareATC Inc. is a leading innovator in the health technology sector providing on-site and shared-site medical clinics. By leveraging groundbreaking technology, CareATC offers customized population health management solutions for employers that reduce healthcare costs by promoting health, preventing disease and providing a shorter path to care. CareATC manages more than 150 clients in 35 states and cares for more than 300,000 patients. Accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Inc., CareATC is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. To learn more about CareATC Inc., visit www.careatc.com.

About Northwind Pharmaceuticals

Northwind provides pharmaceutical repackaging, fulfillment, and support services to patients, medical providers, and employer groups nationally. Through its innovative Rx@Work™, Rx@Home™, and RxAdministration™ solutions, Northwind enables medical providers to get prescription drugs to their patients when and where needed while decreasing drug costs for self-funded employers. For more information, visit https://www.nwpharma.com.

Contacts

CareATC PR Contact:

Lisa Ness, Chief Revenue Officer

lisaness@careatc.com