'Medibank at Home' to give patients greater choice
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Medibank data finds two in three Australians feel travelling to and from hospital is a major stressor
Medibank has today announced ‘Medibank at Home’ – a program allowing members with specific health needs to receive care in the comfort and convenience of their own homes, instead of hospital.
The program will span a range of care services, including the currently available national rehabilitation at home service [1], as well as the chemotherapy and palliative care trials, and a new trial announced today – dialysis [2] at home. Also beginning today is an expansion of chemotherapy [3] at home, with the service extending into South Australia and Victoria.
Medibank Chief Medical Officer Dr Linda Swan said: “Medibank at Home is about empowering our members with greater choice, control and flexibility around where they receive their care. Results from our current pilots show that for members with specific health needs, receiving care at home can deliver as good or better results, alleviate stress for both the patient and their support network, and decrease the risk of hospital readmission.
“The announcement of this program reinforces Medibank’s commitment to shaping the future of care, and we look forward to both the expansion of existing services and the announcement of new initiatives in the near future.”
Research finds travelling to hospital exacerbates patient stress
The announcement follows Medibank research [4], which found more than two thirds (67 per cent) of Australians who visited a hospital said getting to and from hospital is a major stressor, with parking, public transport, distance and the associated costs being the key contributors.
Hospital parking was revealed as the leading factor, with 86 per cent agreeing parking is the number one stressor when travelling to hospital, and the majority saying parking costs are ‘very expensive’. Additionally, more than one in 10 (12 per cent) have reported spending more than $40 on a single hospital visit, with 40 per cent admitting they’ve had to cut visits short due to parking fees.
What’s more, 39 per cent said public transport is not adequately set up in their area to get to the hospital, and 23 per cent say they’d struggle or are physically unable to walk the distance between the public transport stop and hospital entrance. The research indicates that patient recovery may be impacted by the challenges associated with hospital travel, with one in four Australians (24 per cent) saying they’ve had to cancel or reschedule appointments ‘due to difficulties getting there’.
“We know that travelling to and from hospital can be the source of added stress, and can negatively impact a patient’s wellbeing -- not just physically, but mentally. With the launch of Medibank at Home, we aim to help alleviate the burden many face when travelling to and from the hospital, so members can focus on what’s important – their health,” Dr Swan continued.
“Looking at the bigger picture, Medibank at Hom and these trials go beyond just benefiting patients, it promotes a sustainable healthcare system, with the potential to significantly increase capacity and ease the growing demand for hospital services.”
(1) Eligibility criteria applies. Applicable to Medibank members only and must hold Medibank hospital insurance that includes cover for hip and knee replacements. Waiting periods might apply and doctor’s referral before discharged from hospital, Consideration of eligible members home environment suitability and existing support network.
(2) Two year pilot program will commence in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland from April 2018, in partnership with Dialysis Australia Nursing Services.
(3) Expansion of chemotherapy at home trial sees the service expand into new states, including South Australia and Victoria.
(4) Research conducted by ACA Research between 9 May 2017 and 12 May 2017. 1,000 respondents were surveyed, with all having visited a hospital either for themselves or to visit a friend/relative at least once in the last 12 months.
