Outcome-based healthcare: AiR Healthcare uses cloud-based health management solution to expand new care model

People with behavioral disorders deal every day with a chronic condition that threatens their lives, such as people with diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. But behavioral health disorders, such as substance abuse, are often treated as discrete crises. Patients typically receive acute treatment during isolated episodes rather than prescribed, closely managed care over long periods.

Results were predictable: high readmission rates and poor long-term results. However, substance abuse costs the United States nearly $500 billion annually, $200 billion more than cancer and diabetes combined.

For nearly 20 years, Saint Paul, Minnesota-based AiR Healthcare Solutions has treated people with chronic behavioral health disorders, as well as developed and improved a new model for behavioral health. "We want to replace acute crisis treatment with value-based care," says Andrew Wainwright, Director of Development at AiR Healthcare Solutions. "We promote ongoing communication between patients and healthcare providers, transparent care delivery, and accountability for outcomes."

A scalable and viable disease management service

In 2017, AiR Healthcare combined two decades of accumulated clinical experience with advanced data analytics to launch AiRCare—a cloud-based disease management service that coordinates the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral disorders at the population level. To help manage these complex interactions and large volumes of data, AiRCare uses Health360 Care Coordination—based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Azure—developed by Tribridge, a DXC technology company and member of the Microsoft Partner Network.

"We used Tribridge's Health360 Care Coordination with Dynamics 365 and Azure to scale AiRCare and make it feasible for population health management," Wainwright says.

The company also notes that from an information security standpoint, it can use Microsoft software to further strengthen the organization's information security program that was already in place. For example, using Azure Active Directory and Azure native security features, AiRCare can focus on health as it can meet the requirements of third-party auditors and regulatory standards with less work and paperwork.

Personalized care, detailed reports, and clinical insights

Health360 combines Dynamics 365 and Azure functionality with Tribridge capabilities to help healthcare providers coordinate long-term personalized care plans. AiRCare algorithms process personal and population data collected in Health360 to identify individuals who may have behavioral health needs. Professionals then use AiRCare to coordinate disclosure, enrollments, and clinical care plans that are customized over time based on data from insurers, electronic medical records, and other sources.

Health360 uses Microsoft Azure Active Directory to help AiRCare meet Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements. Vendors use Microsoft Power BI features integrated into Health360 to create custom dashboards, data visualizations, and reports related to patient engagement, progress, relapses, and all patient/provider interactions throughout the care plan lifecycle.

Caregivers use AiRCare to query and analyze population information to generate insights that will help them anticipate patient behavior, increase engagement, reduce recurrence, and improve outcomes. "We use Dynamics 365 and Power BI functionality to customize care, evaluate it, and generate reports," says Jaclyn Wainwright, Executive Director of AiR Healthcare Solutions. "So we leverage data to grow and improve."

Larger markets, greater impact

As leading employers and health insurers embrace AiRCare, AiR Healthcare reaches new markets, grows revenue, and makes a more significant impact. AiRCare is expected to serve 250,000 people by the end of 2018, and the results are already impressive.

"Within six months, of the 124 high-risk patients in a population, 62 switched to moderate risk and 24 switched to low risk," Jaclyn says. "These 24 patients will reduce a population's health costs by nearly $2 million per year."

In addition, the national average for 12-month continuous abstinence among people being treated for substance abuse is 35%. For people receiving coordinated treatment from AiRCare, the average is 72%.

"By supporting population health management with Health360, Dynamics 365, and the global Azure footprint, we can impact behavioral health on an unprecedented scale," Andrew says. "So we can take a value-based approach to behavioral health."

Replicable results, fewer attacks, resolution without hesitation

Employers, insurers, and healthcare providers who adopt AiRCare can use it to drive repeatable outcomes across different populations. With a holistic view of patients and their care history, care teams can impact more people, help prevent repeat admissions, and prevent crises. People with chronic behavioral health disorders benefit from more self-care, greater well-being, and better outcomes.

Behavioral health disorders are complex, expensive, and painful, and addressing them may seem like an almost impossible task. After 20 years, AiR Healthcare was not intimidated. "With AiRCare supported by Health360 and based on Dynamics 365 and Azure, if they asked us to solve the opioid crisis, we could scale up to provide care across the country," Andrew says.