Advanced Care at Home

Advanced Care at Home is an innovative hospital-at-home program offered at Mayo Clinic Health System. It offers eligible people hospital-level care in the comfort of their own homes rather than in a traditional hospital setting. Health and safety are at the center of Advanced Care at Home. The program combines both virtual and in-home services to meet your individual needs.

If you qualify for hospital-at-home care, you may benefit from:

• Feeling less stress and anxiety
• Getting services such as physical therapy and infusion therapy on a schedule that works for you
• Spending less time in the hospital

Introduction to Advanced Care at Home

Find out more about Advanced Care at Home:

• Conditions and consultations
• Services
• Advanced Care at Home specialists
• Referrals
• FAQ
• Locations near you

Conditions and consultations

Advanced Care at Home is for people who are sick enough to need hospital-level care but stable enough to be treated at home. Common conditions we see include heart failure, pneumonia, bronchitis and bloodstream infections. The program is not for people who need surgery or advanced imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs.

Your healthcare provider will help you decide if Advanced Care at Home is a good fit for you. Here are some important things to consider:

• Availability: Can you schedule time for healthcare professionals to visit your home?
• Comfort with technology: Are you willing to learn how to use a tablet to connect with your care team for virtual visits?
• Distance from the hospital: Do you live close enough to Mayo Clinic Health System to receive emergency care quickly?
• Health insurance: Does your insurance cover this type of care?
• Support at home: Do you have family, friends or caregivers who can help with daily tasks?

Mayo Clinic Advanced Care at Home

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Services

If you enroll in the hospital-at-home program, you will receive:

• 24/7 virtual care, including:
  • Ability to virtually connect with your care team at any time
  • Remote monitoring of your vital signs
  • Virtual visits with your care team
• A care plan and schedule that fits your needs
• In-person care from advanced practice providers, nurses and community paramedics when needed
• Patient education tailored to your situation
• Virtual visits with pharmacists to help you manage your medications

Other available services include:

• Consults with specialists
• Counseling and emotional support
• Help connecting with social services
• IV infusion therapy
• Lab tests
• Meals and nutrition services
• Mobile X-rays and ultrasounds
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language therapy
• Wound care

Setting up your equipment

Once you are enrolled in Advanced Care at Home, our community partners will come to your home to set up the equipment you need for virtual visits and remote monitoring. They will also teach you how to use the equipment.

Your technology kit may include:

• Backup power supply to keep your equipment running if the power goes out
• Blood pressure cuff for tracking your blood pressure
• Computer tablet for checking your daily schedule and starting video calls with your nurse
• Direct-dial phone that connects you to the Advanced Care at Home command center
• Emergency alert bracelet or necklace that alerts the command center and triggers an immediate evaluation and 911 notification if needed
• Oxygen monitor for measuring your oxygen levels
• Scale for monitoring your weight
• Wi-Fi extender that improves wireless signal for remote monitoring

What to expect during the program

When you are in a traditional hospital setting, you stay there until you are discharged. The same is true for the hospital-at-home program. We ask that you stay at home until your care is complete.

Your care team will deliver your medicines, supplies and other needed equipment. You will have daily virtual visits with a Mayo Clinic Health System physician or advanced practice provider. You can also expect to have about four virtual check-ins a day with a nurse. If needed, advanced practice providers, nurses, community paramedics and other care team members will come to your home.

On your last day in the program, you will meet with your care team. They will review your medicines and any instructions for your care after your discharge. Team members will also take the equipment used during the program. Your team will share details of your hospital-at-home stay with your primary care provider and any specialists you usually see.

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Advanced Care at Home specialists

Mayo Clinic Health System physicians lead your hospital-at-home care team. You can call your care team anytime at the Advanced Care at Home command center. Team members will also visit your home as part of your care.

Our specialists include:

• Physicians
• Advanced practice providers
• Paramedics
• Pharmacists
• Registered nurses

You may also receive care from:

• Home health aides
• Infusion specialists
• Medical imaging technologists
• Occupational therapists
• Physical therapists
• Registered dietitians
• Social workers
• Speech-language pathologists

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Referrals

A referral is required for Advanced Care at Home. Talk with your primary care provider to determine if Advanced Care at Home is right for you and to arrange a referral.

If you are a provider, you can refer a patient online, by phone or by fax.

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FAQ

How does the Advanced Care at Home program work?

During your enrollment, you get special equipment that helps your care team monitor your condition from a distance. You have virtual visits with nurses, physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. You may also receive in-home services such as lab tests, IV therapies and mobile ultrasounds and X-rays.

Why choose Advanced Care at Home?

This program offers you hospital-level care while letting you stay in your own home. Mayo Clinic Health System physicians create your personalized care plan. Medicines and supplies are delivered to you. Your healthcare team coordinates appointments in your home to fit your schedule. The care team also monitors your condition 24/7, and you can call them anytime.

Will my insurance pay for Advanced Care at Home?

Mayo Clinic Health System works with your insurer to determine coverage. You may still have to pay copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.

Can I change my mind about being in the program?

Yes. You can leave the program at any time. Your care team will help you find a safe alternative.

How does discharge work?

Once you are well enough, your care team will help you transition out of the program and remove any hospital-at-home care equipment. The team will also share details of your at-home hospitalization with your primary care provider and any specialists you see.

What safety measures do you take?

The program is designed to keep you safe with:

• 24/7 access to your care team
• A special necklace or bracelet that ensures you get emergency medical help if needed
• Monitoring equipment that sends health updates to your care team, such as your blood pressure and heart rate

What are my payment options, and do you offer financial assistance?

Billing and insurance can be complex. Our Patient Account Services team is here to help you. We also offer financial assistance to people who have financial challenges and an established need to receive medically necessary services.

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Explore locations near you for details on Advanced Care at Home: