Reaching retirement age can be a wonderful time in life — traveling to the places on your bucket list, spending time with your grandchildren or picking up a new hobby. Unfortunately, it may also be a frustrating time if health issues hinder your next adventure.
As we age, our bodies change. When people reach “senior” status, it is possible that they will have at least one chronic condition — in fact, about 80% of us will have two or more.
Having a primary care doctor who knows your health history and your risk factors gives you access to personalized advice. If you don’t have a primary care physician, it’s time to find one and schedule a wellness visit.
Your insurance provider can connect you with local doctors that accept your plan. At Humana, for example, Medicare Advantage members are encouraged to establish a relationship with a “value-based care” provider in their network. Value-based care is a team-based, holistic approach that allows everyone making decisions about your health care to work together. It’s different from the health care most of us grew up using: go see your doctor only when you are sick — sound familiar?
Advantages of team-based, holistic health care
More time with your doctor
- Rather than waiting until you feel unwell to visit the doctor, the intent is to meet regularly. This can help to identify and address health issues as early as possible.
- Value-based care providers encourage more frequent and longer physician visits, allowing time for patients to ask questions and for physicians to personalize their care.
Coordination between your various health care providers
- Older adults are seen by an average of seven different physicians. With value-based care, the primary care physician serves as the quarterback of the care team to ensure everyone works together for the health of the patient.
- The care team often goes beyond what we think of as standard medical care. To help address health-related social needs, they often connect patients to community resources to assist with housing, access to food, financial assistance and more.
Lower risk of hospitalization
- When a care team and your Medicare Advantage plan carrier work together to approach health challenges, it can lower the likelihood of hospitalization and minimize gaps in care.
- Humana Medicare Advantage members using value-based care providers have 30% fewer hospitalizations and almost 13% fewer visits to the emergency room, when compared to Medicare beneficiaries using the traditional fee-for-service model.
Regardless of where you are in life, be sure a strong relationship with a primary care physician is part of your plan. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, use it to help find the provider that fits your needs.
Having a doctor who understands you and offers resources unique to your needs can make a significant difference in your longevity and quality of life.
To see an example of how value-based primary care works, read Karvin’s personal story.
Dr. Robert Zorowitz is a regional vice president of health services for Humana and previously practiced geriatric medicine and hospice/palliative medicine for more than 30 years.
Additional information
Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Allowance amounts cannot be combined with other benefit allowances. Limitations and restrictions may apply.
