Papa

Engaging and retaining members matters to every health plan, as does lowering costs so there’s more to reinvest in their experience. With Papa, you can do both. ?? Our innovative care model brings personalized support to members’ home, improving their use of healthcare services, boosting retention with their health plan, and lowering total cost of care. The impact is clear: members are healthier and happier, and their health plans are too. View our new Impact landing page to see our growing body of evidence—both in numbers and in smiles—that shows companion care’s clear value: https://lnkd.in/eRXijdWr

We won’t sugarcoat it: Our healthcare system and American families are ill-equipped to address the clinical and social needs of our rapidly aging older adult population. In a new article for Fierce Healthcare, Andrew Parker explores how we got here and how we can retool our approach by augmenting existing services and fostering stronger connections between healthcare, social services, and community organizations. Our healthcare and social service systems needed to be retooled to embrace new approaches years ago, Andrew writes. But we can still modify them today. ?? ? Read more about this modern American approach to caregiving: https://lnkd.in/egFytctR

Social support is critical to whole health. Take the story of a 93-year-old Papa member who needed a dental procedure. Once the appointment was scheduled, she didn’t just need a ride there, she needed someone she trusted to be there alongside her. She told her #PapaPal Jean, “I don’t want anyone but you to bring me.” So Jean was there for the procedure and follow-up, providing the consistent, reliable presence that gave this member peace of mind. This is what makes #Papa unique. The service we provide is not just physical assistance, it’s about forming genuine, dependable relationships that members can count on. Because when members feel secure and supported, they’re more empowered to engage with their care and focus on their well-being. ?? Discover how Papa’s trusted companion care is transforming lives. ? https://lnkd.in/eRXijdWr

Linda’s journey with Papa began amidst an overwhelming series of health and caregiving struggles. While recovering from a fall and battling shingles and clots in her lungs, she remained the primary caregiver for her husband, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. With so much on her plate, Linda turned to #Papa for help around the house as she managed her own health. What she didn’t expect was to find a deep friendship in her Papa Pal, Diana. ?? “When I met her,” Linda says, “I didn't expect this warmth and feeling of coming home. She has brought a ray of sunshine into our home.” While Linda is grateful for the assistance Diana provides, it’s their friendship that has had the most profound impact. At a time when she felt like she was losing hope, Diana helped her rediscover her strength and faith in herself. Linda believes that while #PapaPals are there to help with practical needs, their true value lies in the emotional support and companionship they bring. ?? You may have caught a glimpse of Lina and Diana’s journey on their KSL 5 TV segment in Salt Lake City, and now you can read the full story behind their incredible bond: https://lnkd.in/e4esRtME

At Papa, we’ve long known that human connection is healing—and we’ve invested heavily in research and impact to prove it. Now, almost seven years since our founding, we have a growing body of evidence that shows companion care’s clear value. ?? From lower medical costs to fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations to more preventive care and higher engagement, the positive outcomes or our members and clients are undeniable. And this impact is reflected not only in the data, but in the experiences of our members. Like Kenneth, who is blind, in his 70s, and living in unstable housing without a support network nearby. “When I got Papa, I didn’t know what to expect. I prayed for an angel, and Papa Pal Andreana has been that,” he says. The impact isn’t just measurable—it’s transformational. ?? Discover how we’re making a meaningful difference for our members and partners on our new “Impact” landing page: https://lnkd.in/eRXijdWr

Imagine being 90 years old, living alone in a third-floor apartment with no elevator, no heat, no hot water, and not enough food. That was the reality for one Papa member, Miss Mabel (as we’ll call her), until Papa Pal Ida stepped in. In just one visit, Ida helped turn Mabel’s life around. With Ida leading the charge, she and Mabel filed paperwork for food assistance, secured emergency food stamps and groceries, and got the apartment management company—which had long ignored Mabel’s complaints about her apartment—to commit to fixing her heat and hot water. Ida believed management dismissed Mabel because they thought she had no one to advocate for her. But now, thanks to Papa, she does. ?? For members like Miss Mabel, Papa is so much more than a friendly visit and a ride to the store. We’re a lifeline—especially for those who have no one in their corner. Read more about how #PapaPal Ida is showing up for her members: https://lnkd.in/eCNtrBvC

Every Sunday, #PapaPal Jean drives one of her regular members who has struggled with addiction to and from her weekly support group meeting. She’s not the only member Jean drives to these important meetings, and the women trust her with their stories on the drive. Jean’s role extends beyond just transportation—she has become a trusted confidante for these members and many others who share their thoughts, trials, joys, and memories with her. In just a year, Jean has gathered countless heartwarming stories and has formed just as many strong bonds with members in her community.?? Read her story here ?? https://lnkd.in/e7D5xy9f

Indianapolis, get ready! ?? We’re gearing up for #MHPA24, where we’ll meet with Medicaid plans about how Papa addresses unmet needs, advances health equity, and helps build healthy communities among their members. Curious to learn how we can support your plan’s populations? Schedule one-on-one time with us at the event:?https://lnkd.in/e9yfFqDP.???

It’s more important than ever for SDOH industry companies to evaluate their interventions and prove their value. I wish quality of life outcomes were enough, yet we all know the question of cost savings is always number one. BUT there’s one huge challenge: we rarely have access to healthcare claims data to do this type of evaluation routinely. Rather than relying on hand-wavey ROI calculations, the industry needs an evidence-based metric that can act as a proxy for cost savings in the absence of claims data. In our recent publication, we share results of a study using the CDC’s Healthy Days Measure to do just that. Using claims data and patient-reported data, we found each additional unhealthy day reported was associated with an increase in 30-day medical costs of $60 and $34 for physically and mentally unhealthy days, respectively. Our findings support using unhealthy days as a health-related quality of life measure and an important tool for cost estimations. Special thanks to my co-authors for all their work on this study: Ellen Rudy John Rogers Zachary Goldberg, MD Howard Friedman Prakash Navaratnam David B. Nash, MD, MBA

Social prescribing could be a powerful tool for addressing unmet social needs, but its impact is limited if people can’t access the resources prescribed to them. Transportation remains a significant barrier, especially for those facing loneliness and isolation. ?? Recent research by Papa’s Kelsey McNamara and University of California, Davis’ Bethney Bonilla-Herrera, MA and NA'AMAH RAZON, presented at AcademyHealth’s Annual Research Meeting, reveal a troubling reality: Medicare Advantage members who are lonely or lack reliable social support face more transportation barriers. Transportation for social visits and activities was the most common transportation barrier reported. And even though many Medicare Advantage plans offer medical transportation, many members still struggle to get to appointments or pick up prescriptions—and this gap widens for members who are lonely and/or lack reliable social support. These findings underscore the need to expand transportation assistance beyond just medical needs. Following through on referrals and doctors’ orders and getting out in the community are vital to living a full, healthy life. At #Papa, we’re dedicated to breaking down these barriers, ensuring that all members have access to the care and support they need. Learn more about the intersection of loneliness and transportation barriers: https://lnkd.in/exucYCEc