Increased Access to Virtual Care
Hill Physicians’ Virtual Care Network served more than 500 patients with timely access in 2024. Patients who are unable to see their established doctor can self-schedule a same-day appointment with a trusted provider in the larger Hill Physicians network. These providers have access to patients’ medical records and gaps in care. After the visit, the patient’s primary care doctor will also receive notes about the visit and any follow-up care needed.
In 2024, Hill Physicians care managers were also able to schedule for patients who recently had been hospitalized, addressing medication questions and other post-discharge needs.
“When a patient needs to be seen after a hospital stay but cannot get an appointment with their primary care physician (PCP), this service helps reduce their risk of readmission,” said Chief Medical Officer K. Gabrielle Gaspar, M.D. “It is a best practice for these patients to receive follow-up care from their primary care provider within three to seven days of discharge. We know that’s not always possible, so this program helps bridge the gap until they can be seen by their primary care doctor.”
Imran Junaid, M.D., medical director for Hill Physicians, emphasized the value of the virtual care service and believes it will grow.
“Access remains challenging for both patients and physicians,” he said. “The Virtual Care Network offers balance and equity to patients who struggle to get to the office or find timely appointments with their primary care provider in a timely manner.”
It’s also benefits participating providers, he added.
“For physicians who are looking to grow or improve their productivity, it affords an option to fill same-day openings or gaps in their schedule, ultimately increasing productivity and revenue cycles.”
Patients have praised the easy-to-use platform. In a recent survey, 78 percent of users rated the platform’s design positively and 79 percent said they were satisfied with the timeliness of communications, well above the industry average of 65 percent.
Shared Initiatives Benefit Diabetes Patients
Hill Physicians continues to lead the way in offering innovative support programs to help patients manage diabetes. A new program launched in 2024 allows Hill Physician Pharmacists to partner with physicians in caring for diabetes patients.
As part of the Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA), pharmacists partner closely with physicians to manage patient care and can directly interact with patients to adjust medications — either increasing, decreasing or stopping them, or prescribing new medication when appropriate.
Our pharmacists were able to review lab results and consult with patients, according to Jennifer Radecke, PharmD, Senior Director of Pharmacy Services. Virtual appointments were scheduled weekly, quarterly or monthly, depending on the patient’s needs.
“It allowed our physicians to focus on more complex cases, while our team handled the more routine aspects of chronic care,” said Jennifer. “All the patient feedback has been very positive.”
“Access remains challenging for both patients and physicians,” she said. “This service offers balance and equity to patients who struggle to get to the office or find timely appointments with their primary care provider in a timely manner.”
It’s also benefits participating providers.
“The Hill Physicians Pharmacy team saves me valuable time by expertly managing prescription care for my patients, ensuring they receive the best possible treatment without delays,” said Michael Rosenfield, D.O., with Hill Health Medical Group.
As a result of the effort to help diabetes patients lower their A1C levels, Hill Physicians scored in the 90th percentile in the Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA)’s Align.Measure.Perform (AMP) program.
Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screenings
With a Spanish-speaking community health advocate reaching out to Hispanic and Latino Medicare patients, Hill Physicians was able to address a disparity in colorectal cancer screening.
According to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), about 69 percent of Medicare patients screen annually for colorectal cancer, but only 62 percent of Hispanic and Latino patients do so. Hill Physicians’ Population Health team decided to focus on this health disparity, by providing a tailored outreach.
Annie Hou, Pharm D, Director of Clinical Quality, explained that a Spanish-speaking community health advocate connected with high-risk patients and clarified why the tests were important, how the process works and how to schedule them.
In all, 57 percent of the patients who spoke with the community health advocate completed their screening, increasing the overall percentage by 4 percent. As a result, Hill Physicians ranked in the 90th percentile for colorectal cancer screening in the Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA)’s Align.Measure.Perform (AMP) program, which is considered the gold standard.
Honoring Our Patients’ Perspectives
Hill Physicians Medical Group’s Patient and Family Advisory Committee (PFAC) had a productive year in 2024, reviewing programs and communications, providing input to make them more patient-centric.
PFAC was established in 2021 To ensure the patient voice was central in how we engage with, assist and communicate with our members.
Current Committee Chairman Richard Ziman is happy to offer constructive feedback.
“With Hill, I have had both very good interactions with providers and a few experiences that didn’t meet my expectations,” he said. “I am interested in improving healthcare delivery and making healthcare accessible to everyone.”
One of the PFAC board’s newest members, Gavin Front, sees his participation as a valuable way to give back to other patients and the system.
“I joined PFAC to help make it easier for patients like me to understand, navigate and avoid gaps in the complicated coverage arrangement of managed HMO plans,” he said. “Engaging patients and families has been essential in enhancing communication, improving access and providing culturally relevant care.”