BATON
ROUGE, La., July 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In light of the lessons
learned from numerous hurricanes and other calamities, Louisianans
understand the critical role of quick, reliable communication
during crises. Therefore, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, a
Medicaid health plan serving the Louisiana Department of Health and
a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), is
implementing a first-of-its-kind messaging outreach program
designed to assess and enhance the healthcare system's capacity and
needs after a disaster.
With this system in place, Louisiana Healthcare Connections will
be able to more quickly identify which medical offices or
pharmacies are damaged or destroyed after a hurricane. With
statewide assessment tools and multi-channel message delivery, the
system can identify disaster-damaged parts of the healthcare system
in hours, rather than the days it might have taken before. As a
result, Louisiana Healthcare Connections can proactively reach out
and connect their patients to alternate temporary providers, making
sure there's no disruption in care or medicine until their provider
can recover. This can be lifesaving for patients with high-risk
medical conditions, like being late in their pregnancy, receiving
treatment for cancer, or needing insulin.
Kevin Holt, Senior Crisis
Management Analyst for Louisiana Healthcare Connections emphasized
the significance of multi-channel message delivery. "With this
emergency communications system, Louisiana Healthcare Connections
can promptly and reliably reach our provider network, using
multiple modes of communication to ensure the highest probability
of success. That means less hassles for our members recovering
after a storm and providing awareness about the status of our
providers to prevent a lapse in care or unneeded evacuation of our
most vulnerable members with medical needs."
One member, Siairra, recounts the two lives saved when she had
to evacuate during Hurricane Ida. Louisiana Healthcare Connections
stepped in to make sure that not only her delivery of tiny
Nila Rose was covered, but also that
her needs were covered, with a place to stay, groceries, clothing,
and other post-partum care, such as a breast pump, while Nila spent
a month in NICU after delivery.
"Y'all are above and beyond, and it made me feel good because I
had help." …Y'all most definitely make me feel like family,"
expressed Siarra.
Louisiana Healthcare Connections has always been quick to assist
in times of need, and the new system will extend this culture of
care during times of crisis.
"Because we live in Louisiana
and deal with hurricanes so frequently, we see improving
communication and speeding up our response time as a vital part of
our mission to care for our 500,000 members.," affirmed
Joe Tidwell, Vice President of
Network Development and Engagement at Louisiana Healthcare
Connections. "This ensures that life-saving information reaches
patients directly in the impacted areas."
About Louisiana Healthcare Connections
A Medicaid health plan serving the Louisiana Department of
Health, Louisiana Healthcare Connections was launched in 2012 to
provide the best benefits and programs possible to improve the
overall health of the families and communities we serve. We are a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE:
CNC), focused on identifying and removing institutional
barriers to good health with sustainable solutions that reduce
health disparities and create health equity. Through a family of
engaged employees, dedicated providers and diverse community
partners, we deliver care for the health of all with Medicaid Made
Personal. For more information, visit
www.louisianahealthconnect.com.
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SOURCE Louisiana Healthcare Connections