PATH ALONG Moving Wisconsin Forward

Wisconsin is primarily rural with hospitals evolving to health care centers as a way to better serve the increased number of baby boomers becoming Medicare eligible.  Medicare is a federal insurance program that has taken a two tier approach to reduce the out flow of money and maintain some risk reserve funds.  The two tiers are:

1. An increased severity of illness for eligibility to be admitted to a hospital.

2. A decreased level of reimbursement to hospitals for a patient that becomes readmitted within 30 days of discharge.

A larger percentage of the total patient population for a rural Wisconsin hospital is a Medicare beneficiary.  The accounting department in these rural Wisconsin hospitals are dependent upon the Medicare revenue to maintain service budgets that keep needed care available.  The identified risk to a community with decreased readmission reimbursements is the loss of a hospital location.

As the community ages residents demonstrate an increased need for hospital care in close proximity.  Travel time represents a larger measure of meaning.   The entire community benefits from a near by hospital location.

PATH ALONG research recognized a need for a service set (model) capable of supporting severely ill seniors (Medicare Beneficiaries) and reducing readmission rates to retain Medicare revenue for a tight rural delivery budget.  PATH ALONG is an original Wisconsin model (service set) with structural and procedural details that stretch received Medicare money.

PATH ALONG is a symbol of Wisconsin's grow organically through smart economic expansion.  The individual patient with Medicare as a pay source experiences a better outcome.  The hospital accounting department is pleased with the stable influx of Medicare revenue.  The community saves their hospital location and retains the flexibility to direct their service to best meet the populations changing needs. The federal Medicare program is thankful to the Wisconsin providers for being good stewards of public money. 

PATH ALONG is a piece of the Wisconsin health care system cluster that is growing.  PATH ALONG is an original Wisconsin model that connects inpatient providers to community staff who support the patient during health system transitions.  An evidence based model with three defined services to help the hospitalist fulfill their continuity of care role.  Specializing in care filled transitions.

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