Just Ask Paul!
Since 2021, Mass Retirees has been reporting on the partnership between Senscio Systems and MIIA (Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association) that offers the innovative telehealth services program, Ibis Health, to eligible Medicare retirees with multiple chronic conditions in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
Ed Note: Massachusetts-based Senscio Systems developed the Ibis Health Program that utilizes a patented digital health platform to connect the retiree at home to clinical care teams. As the insurance arm of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA), MIIA offers to public retirees in 400 cities, towns and public entities a comprehensive selection of health insurance plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
Positive Trends In Reducing Costs
Earlier this year (January 2024 Voice), we updated members on Senscio’s study involving high-cost MIIA retirees enrolled in Ibis, which highlighted several positive trends in reducing overall healthcare costs for members and the MIIA Health Benefits Trust. Growing evidence continues to show that participation in Ibis Health is helping to keep members out of the hospital and healthier at home.
On average, Ibis Health members experience a 10 percent reduction in emergency room visits and a 30 percent reduction in hospitalizations after joining the program, according to ongoing analysis of acute care utilization data. Ibis Health members who do find themselves in the hospital tend to enjoy shorter stays, with a nearly 50 percent reduction in the number of days spent there and a 55 percent reduction in re-admissions after they were discharged.
Firsthand Experience: Important Measuring Tool
There’s no question that these findings are essential in showing that Ibis Health, which combines daily support from the patented AI-powered Ibis Platform with access to experienced clinical specialists, is helping members to better manage their health care at home. But it is also very important to hear firsthand from members on their experience participating in the program in order to measure the program’s effectiveness.
With that in mind, let’s see what one local retiree has to say about Ibis Health. His name is Paul Murphy, a former school psychologist whose career spanned 31 years at Burgess Elementary School in Sturbridge.
Murphy loves to spend time with his nine grandchildren, and he and his wife Mary rarely miss a football game or a dance recital, even though that often means a three-hour round trip drive. It’s one reason Murphy, who is 70, has turned to Ibis Health to help him stay on top of his health issues and continue to feel his best. “That’s the motivation,” Murphy said. “I want to see them grow.”
Murphy first joined Ibis Health in the winter of 2023 after learning he could receive support from the program with no out-of-pocket costs, thanks to his health insurance benefits through MIIA and Medicare. Murphy had undergone a heart valve replacement procedure, and takes medications to help manage chronic kidney disease. “I thought anybody I can get in my corner to assist me with maintaining a healthy, do-what’s-right kind of thing, that would be a good idea, and it’s far surpassed my expectations,” Murphy said.
Each day, Murphy tracks his blood pressure, weight, exercise, food and oxygen levels through the Ibis Platform. Reminders help ensure he takes his medications at the right time and doesn’t miss any doses. Murphy said the program provides a structure for his day, and has helped increase awareness of his own health, as well as peace of mind.
“With my wife still working, it’s my little buddy in the background, beeping when I’m not doing the things that I should. It helps me make sure I eat my breakfast, and it’s been good, especially the exercise reminders — I run every day, jog every day, and now I’m even looking for my time, how fast am I going, how many steps at the end of the day,” Murphy said. “Where I was doing some of these things, it was not all these things and not consistently. But now I am doing them consistently, and as soon as something gets a little out of whack, I’m trying to correct it.”
Murphy believes his participation in Ibis Health has helped to improve his health and keep him out of the hospital. Perhaps most importantly, Murphy is able to continue doing the activities he loves, whether it’s giving back to his wife all the things that she gave him during his working years by learning to cook and clean, or being able to take a walk with a neighbor who has Alzheimer’s, so that her husband can get a short break from caretaking. And especially, being able to spend time with those grandchildren. “I’m living the high life right now,” Murphy said. “I’m really enjoying my retirement.”
That good to hear, Paul, and thanks for sharing your experience with us.