Simplifying Healthcare for Patients and Providers
Rachael Rivero, nurse practitioner and owner of Kansas Care Connect and ChronicWELL, is committed to helping the healthcare industry by filling the gaps in care for patients and providers. “Providers may not always have the capacity to deliver the care they want, and some patients are unable to navigate the healthcare system alone,” she explains. “We’re trying to address both of these by providing additional coordination and communication.”
Healthcare professionals have experienced an increasing rate of burnout as a result of a decrease in available time and resources, as well as ongoing drops in reimbursement. With fewer workers and overall resources, providers’ workload and patients’ well-being may be significantly affected.
Hoping to rebalance this, Kansas Care Connect offers a chronic care management program that operates as an intermediary, working alongside providers to offer patients support between their office visits. Through this model, Kansas Care Connect hopes to relieve healthcare frustrations for both patients and providers. “If patients have concerns or questions, they can start by calling us to get guidance on how to proceed,” says Rivero.
The organization also offers a remote monitoring program that grants them access to real-time patient data, offering providers a second set of eyes that can track patients’ well-being and progress. Through this, Rivero aims to reduce overall healthcare costs, improve patient outcomes, and optimize available resources. “Having us as additional support can prevent things like duplicate testing and disease complications because we can keep a closer eye on patients,” she says.
According to Rivero, working with Kansas Care Connect can help practices strengthen patient engagement while keeping their internal resource burden low. “We may create a passive revenue stream for providers and only bill them for the services that we provide. This structure is designed to be financially manageable for practices,” Rivero explains. “Because the service is billed based on enrolled patients, it can support consistent care without adding new administrative burdens or taking away time from the clinic.”
Through these programs, the organization coordinates with all healthcare providers and facilities that are involved in their patients’ care, helping to share records and information about a patient’s health and well-being. “We aim to be a resource for the entire care team, whether or not we’re contracted with them,” Rivero states.
Kansas Care Connect aspires to serve patients with chronic conditions who may find it challenging to understand their diagnoses and treatment plans. “We try to be a resource for patients so that there’s someone to simplify things for them and advocate on their behalf,” she explains. “We want to empower patients by providing ongoing education and support throughout their healthcare journey.”
With the support of Kansas Care Connect, Rivero believes that patients are more likely to commit to their treatment plans and attend scheduled appointments. Monitoring patients’ progress also aids the organization in tracking whether treatments are effective and potentially stepping in to discuss altering treatment plans with their providers if needed. “Instead of making patients wait until their follow-up appointments, we continually monitor and promote early intervention when needed,” explains Rivero. “We really try to emphasize proactive instead of reactive care for patients.”
Founded in 2023, Kansas Care Connect was built on the hope of reducing frustration and increasing satisfaction for patients and providers alike. The idea was born from Rivero’s own experiences in the industry for nearly 20 years. Now, Rivero is preparing to launch ChronicWELL in hopes of expanding and continuing to support the healthcare industry by improving access to knowledge and resources, especially for vulnerable populations and those living with chronic conditions. “We’re strongly focusing on expanding services and outreach to educate people about how our services can help,” says Rivero. “We want to get the word out to patients and providers that we’re here to help.”
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.
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