Healthcare access isn’t just about technology – it’s about human connection. Dan McDonald recaps the latest episode of Creating A New Healthcare where he and Lauren Barca discuss the intersect of technology and empathy.
On a recent episode of Creating A New Healthcare with Dr. Zeev Neuwirth, I shared 86Borders’ journey in addressing the persistent needs of healthcare’s most vulnerable populations. Along with Lauren Barca, our VP of Quality, we discussed how 86Borders combines innovative technology with compassionate care coordination to overcome the social determinants of health (SDOH) that limit access to quality care.
The Origin of 86Borders
Our name, 86Borders, comes from my background in the restaurant industry, where “86” means removing something from the menu. We adopted that ethos in healthcare – eliminating barriers that prevent underserved communities from accessing essential resources. Here are three unique ways 86Borders breaks down barriers to accessing and utilizing care:
1. Apply tech-driven, impactful care coordination
Our SaaS platform acts as a relational database that places patients at the center of a connected system, ensuring smooth data-sharing and personalized care. But technology is only part of the equation. Our local care coordinators – trained in empathy – build human connections to meet both medical and social needs.
2. Understand vulnerable populations
We delved into the unique challenges faced by Medicaid, Medicare and other at-risk groups, who often struggle with basic needs like:
- Food
- Housing
- Transportation
Care coordinators work to remove these barriers specific to each member. One example of our success in this area is helping to improve medication adherence among a DSNP population, converting 66% of non-compliant members to active adherence.
3. Embrace a vision for broader change
For meaningful healthcare reform, all stakeholders must recognize the critical role of SDOH and support the community organizations addressing these challenges. Our guiding belief is simple: “If you can engage with a member, nothing else matters. If you can’t, nothing else matters.”
Successful healthcare service models of the future will integrate high-tech solutions with high-touch care. And as the industry evolves, all healthcare stakeholders must not lose the human element essential to delivering compassionate, high-quality care.
Listen to the full episode here.