Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles is heading up a collaborative effort, funded by President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, to reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions for Medicare patients. The newly formed Los Angeles-Mid-City Integrated Care Collaborative will involve three hospitals and 14 nursing facilities, as well as a roster of community-based organizations in providing the medical, social, case management and mental health services needed to keep the elderly at home after they have been released from a hospital.
“Recent reports show that $12 billion is being spent annually on hospital readmissions for Medicare patients that might be preventable,” said Paul S. Castro, CEO of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles. “By bringing together providers from across the care spectrum, older adults with complex medical and social service needs will receive the follow-up care and resources they need and will spend less time hospitalized unnecessarily.”
Mid-City Integrated Care Collaborative was one of 18 programs chosen across the country, and one of only a handful to bring together multiple major organizations. The contract is for $3.6 million over two years, with an option for a three-year extension if performance standards are met.
JFS, which is coordinating the project, will provide the social workers to determine patients’ needs when they are discharged. JFS is working in partnership with Good Samaritan Hospital, St. Vincent Medical Center and Olympia Medical Center. The collaborative includes 14 skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers affiliated with Skilled Healthcare LLC and Country Villa Health Services, along with community-based organizations serving older adults in the Mid-City area, including the Alzheimer’s Association, Hollywood Senior Multipurpose Center, St. Barnabas Senior Services, the KHEIR Center and St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. The Los Angeles City Department of Aging and County Department of Mental Health are also participating. The collaborative will begin providing transition services this fall.
“We know that providing medical care for our patients does not end at our front door,” said Andrew B. Leeka, president and CEO of Good Samaritan Hospital. “The L.A. Mid-City Collaborative will bring additional resources to Medicare patients with chronic conditions, to help them receive the care they need.
