Medicare pilot program branching into Covington, Hammond, Lafayette

A program that aims to curb the number of Medicare patients returning to hospitals within 30 days of initial treatment is expanding from its pilot launch in Baton Rouge to Lafayette, Covington and Hammond. According to The Associated Press, eQHealth Solutions is centered around a full-time “health coach” who works with patients on providing health information after being discharged from the hospital, which should lower the chances of patient relapses for illnesses such as heart attacks, congestive heart failure, pneumonia and pulmonary disease. Five Baton Rouge hospitals were able to participate in the pilot program thanks to a $2.1 million grant from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Now, three years later, Lafayette will get its share of a $1.26 million grant to implement the program in the Hub City, Hammond and Covington. Read more here.