Modivcare and Michigan Center for Rural Health Partner to Extend Care Access by Introducing Remote Patient Monitoring in Rural Hospitals

Melody Lai
Sr. External Communications Manager
media.inquiry@modivcare.com

Modivcare Inc. (the “Company” or “Modivcare”) (Nasdaq: MODV), a technology-enabled healthcare services company that provides a platform of integrated supportive care solutions focused on improving health outcomes, through its Higi service and in collaboration with the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH), is proud to announce the successful completion of its 18-month Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) pilot program designed to enhance healthcare delivery in three rural Michigan hospitals.

The pilot, funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund’s 2022 Special Projects and Emerging Ideas Initiative, was implemented with the goal of increasing digital health capacity and access to care for the participating rural, independent critical access hospitals, while capturing lessons learned to be shared with rural health stakeholders throughout the state of Michigan. This pioneering initiative, conducted at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital in Newberry, McKenzie Health System in Sandusky, and Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in Manistique, demonstrated remarkable success in improving patient outcomes, increasing care access in a rural setting, and reducing clinical burden for healthcare providers.

The program in these three communities, whose average population is 2,000, saw significant success in enrolling patients referred directly by their primary care providers (PCPs) or local care managers, with 117 eligible patients referred (all of whom had been diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, and/or congestive heart failure) and an impressive 48.72 percent enrollment rate. Patients introduced to RPM by their trusted care providers enrolled at rates more than eight times higher than those who received a referral via letter or cold call.

Of the patients monitored during the pilot, a cohort of 46 patients had a continuous six months of uninterrupted engagement and blood pressure monitoring, allowing for rigorous analysis of health impact. Among these patients, the number of individuals with controlled blood pressure readings doubled, increasing from 39 percent at the start to 78 percent by the end of the pilot period. Patients with previously uncontrolled hypertension experienced an average reduction of 27 mmHg systolic and 11 mmHg diastolic, achieving blood pressure readings in the normal range. According to the National Institute of Health, such reductions correlate with over a 20 percent reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular events, underscoring the RPM program’s potential to significantly improve long-term health outcomes. In addition to the strong blood pressure improvements, many participating patients also improved their blood glucose and weight.

Engagement was strongest amongst patients who were homebound or had limited social support, further validating the importance of RPM in addressing gaps in care for rural, isolated populations. While connectivity issues presented a barrier, through the use of cellular-enabled devices, the program achieved a device failure rate of less than 10 percent.

“This pilot project has proven that striking the balance between relationship-driven care and technology-forward solutions can be transformative in rural healthcare,” said L. Heath Sampson, President and Chief Executive Officer. “By leveraging RPM technology to foster personal care relationships to provide ongoing support to rural hospitals and their patients, we are improving outcomes and allowing healthcare teams to work more efficiently, ultimately improving the health and well-being of Michigan’s rural residents.”

The RPM pilot program demonstrated the significant potential of remote monitoring to improve healthcare delivery in rural settings, where access to traditional healthcare is exceptionally challenging.

“We are thrilled with the outcomes of this pilot and the positive impact it has had on patients and healthcare providers alike,” said Michael Beaulieu, MD, FAAFP, Chief Medical Officer for Helen Newberry Joy Hospital. “RPM has the ability to reshape rural healthcare, providing continuous care outside of the traditional office setting while reducing the workload for clinicians.”

As a result of this program, two of the three activations have continued providing RPM as a benefit and a comprehensive Remote Patient Monitoring Playbook has been developed to support similar healthcare organizations in adopting and implementing RPM solutions, aimed at improving patient care in rural and underserved areas through real-world guidance and actionable implementation plans.

“The Michigan Center for Rural Health extends its heartfelt thanks to the teams at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, McKenzie Health System, and Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital for investing their time and energy into the RPM pilot. By participating in the RPM pilot, not only did they make a positive impact on the health and wellness of their patients, but they also are making a difference beyond their geographical footprints through the distribution of the playbook,” said John Barnas, Executive Director of MCRH.

As RPM technology continues to evolve, healthcare organizations across the nation are increasingly turning to these tools to deliver proactive, personalized care. By partnering with rural hospitals through this initiative, MCRH and Modivcare are bridging the healthcare access gap in underserved areas.

About Modivcare

Modivcare Inc. (Nasdaq: MODV) is a technology-enabled healthcare services company that provides a platform of integrated supportive care solutions for public and private payors and their members. Our value-based solutions address the social determinants of health (SDoH), enable greater access to care, reduce costs, and improve outcomes. We are a leading provider of non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), personal care and remote patient monitoring. To learn more about Modivcare, please visit www.modivcare.com.

About Michigan Center for Rural Health

The Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH), a 501c3 established in 1991, is the State of Michigan’s Office of Rural Health (SORH). As Michigan’s SORH, MCRH plays a key role in rural health care by assisting in the creation and implementation of partnerships among organizations, health departments, hospitals, government, and academia. Historically, these collaborations have resulted in new opportunities in network development, quality of care, emergency medical services, continuing education, and recruitment and retention of rural health care providers.