1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,240 Hello, everyone. This is Jacob Emerson with the 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:03,699 Becker's Healthcare Podcast. 3 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:06,319 Thanks so much for tuning in today. We're 4 00:00:06,319 --> 00:00:09,599 joined by a special guest. Catherine Tabaka is 5 00:00:09,599 --> 00:00:12,339 the CEO of Matrix Medical Network. 6 00:00:12,734 --> 00:00:14,734 Catherine, thanks so much for taking the time 7 00:00:14,734 --> 00:00:16,594 to be with us on the podcast today. 8 00:00:17,295 --> 00:00:19,375 Thanks for having me, Jacob. Look forward to 9 00:00:19,375 --> 00:00:20,035 the discussion. 10 00:00:20,654 --> 00:00:23,214 Likewise, Catherine. And before we dive into everything 11 00:00:23,214 --> 00:00:24,734 that we wanna talk with you about, can 12 00:00:24,734 --> 00:00:26,579 you tell us a little bit more about 13 00:00:26,579 --> 00:00:28,980 yourself, your your background in health care, and 14 00:00:28,980 --> 00:00:31,320 what you're doing today at Matrix Medical Network? 15 00:00:32,260 --> 00:00:33,399 Sure. Pleasure. 16 00:00:34,020 --> 00:00:35,880 So I joined Matrix 17 00:00:36,260 --> 00:00:39,320 3 years ago, Jacob, and I was appointed 18 00:00:39,885 --> 00:00:42,924 CEO of Matrix Medical Network in July of 19 00:00:42,924 --> 00:00:44,945 2022, so just over 2 years. 20 00:00:45,405 --> 00:00:46,545 I came to the organization 21 00:00:46,844 --> 00:00:50,125 with just under 20 years of experience in 22 00:00:50,125 --> 00:00:51,265 health care, though 23 00:00:51,770 --> 00:00:53,129 it's fair to say that I grew up 24 00:00:53,129 --> 00:00:56,329 on the med tech and med device side 25 00:00:56,329 --> 00:00:58,250 of the industry, as well as the provider 26 00:00:58,250 --> 00:01:00,489 side of the industry rather than the payer 27 00:01:00,489 --> 00:01:02,829 side where Matrix operates today. 28 00:01:03,850 --> 00:01:06,064 In a way, though, I will say closely 29 00:01:06,064 --> 00:01:09,265 with payers and risk bearing entities today brings 30 00:01:09,265 --> 00:01:11,504 me back to the first part of my 31 00:01:11,504 --> 00:01:13,604 career, which started in financial services, 32 00:01:14,305 --> 00:01:15,844 where enabling consumers 33 00:01:16,305 --> 00:01:19,344 and managing financial risk is not widely different 34 00:01:19,344 --> 00:01:22,239 from how health plan offer health and care 35 00:01:22,239 --> 00:01:24,799 benefits to their membership and manage the financial 36 00:01:24,799 --> 00:01:27,379 risks associated with the utilization 37 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:28,739 of those benefits. 38 00:01:30,079 --> 00:01:32,079 Fantastic. Well, I appreciate you taking us through 39 00:01:32,079 --> 00:01:34,744 that, Catherine. Let's get going by talking a 40 00:01:34,744 --> 00:01:36,685 little bit about a trend that we continue 41 00:01:36,744 --> 00:01:37,405 to see, 42 00:01:37,944 --> 00:01:40,924 increase every single year, health care services 43 00:01:41,384 --> 00:01:43,965 moving more into patients' homes. 44 00:01:44,584 --> 00:01:46,990 How would you say that in home assessments 45 00:01:47,130 --> 00:01:49,370 factor into that shift? And you brought up 46 00:01:49,370 --> 00:01:51,930 payers and and the space that Matrix operates 47 00:01:51,930 --> 00:01:55,130 in. What opportunities here are most important for 48 00:01:55,130 --> 00:01:56,109 payer organizations 49 00:01:56,490 --> 00:01:57,230 to be considering? 50 00:01:58,094 --> 00:02:00,495 So before diving into that question, Jacob, let 51 00:02:00,495 --> 00:02:02,415 me maybe walk you through what the company 52 00:02:02,415 --> 00:02:05,855 does. Matrix was founded nearly 25 years ago, 53 00:02:05,855 --> 00:02:08,814 and it actually pioneered the 1st national in 54 00:02:08,814 --> 00:02:09,870 home clinical network. 55 00:02:10,590 --> 00:02:13,330 Today, and based on continued healthy 56 00:02:13,709 --> 00:02:14,849 merger and acquisitions 57 00:02:15,229 --> 00:02:17,549 activity in our category of the industry, we 58 00:02:17,549 --> 00:02:18,930 are the only independent, 59 00:02:19,229 --> 00:02:22,269 truly independent provider of in home health assessments 60 00:02:22,269 --> 00:02:23,250 across the nation. 61 00:02:23,844 --> 00:02:25,925 So we operate as an extension of our 62 00:02:25,925 --> 00:02:28,564 client partners, those risk bearing entities that I 63 00:02:28,564 --> 00:02:29,465 mentioned earlier. 64 00:02:29,844 --> 00:02:32,165 And what we do is really caring for 65 00:02:32,165 --> 00:02:34,564 individuals where they're the most comfortable, which is 66 00:02:34,564 --> 00:02:35,465 in their home. 67 00:02:36,004 --> 00:02:37,685 And in that way, we enhance and we 68 00:02:37,685 --> 00:02:40,699 activate access to the benefits that health plans 69 00:02:40,699 --> 00:02:43,020 and other risk bearing entities extend to their 70 00:02:43,020 --> 00:02:43,520 members. 71 00:02:43,979 --> 00:02:45,360 So to the question around, 72 00:02:46,019 --> 00:02:49,199 the health care services moving towards the home, 73 00:02:49,259 --> 00:02:50,620 the first thing I would say, Jacob, is 74 00:02:50,620 --> 00:02:52,080 that the pandemic certainly 75 00:02:52,379 --> 00:02:53,199 did accelerate 76 00:02:53,665 --> 00:02:56,564 a trend that frankly had already started 77 00:02:56,865 --> 00:02:58,245 well before 2020. 78 00:02:59,264 --> 00:03:01,525 And in households or in home assessments 79 00:03:02,224 --> 00:03:03,685 are not really a new concept 80 00:03:04,145 --> 00:03:05,125 post pandemic. 81 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:08,560 And it's really related to how health care 82 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:09,780 is incentivized 83 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:12,580 by the regulating agencies in the US 84 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:14,020 based on 85 00:03:15,039 --> 00:03:17,280 how health care is incentivized, the health plan 86 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:19,514 or any other entity really that bears the 87 00:03:19,514 --> 00:03:21,115 risk of the total cost of care for 88 00:03:21,115 --> 00:03:21,855 an individual 89 00:03:22,555 --> 00:03:25,615 needs to ensure that, 1, they understand, 90 00:03:26,074 --> 00:03:27,855 and, 2, that they are appropriately 91 00:03:28,235 --> 00:03:29,935 covered financially to 92 00:03:30,314 --> 00:03:32,955 attend to the specific care needs of that 93 00:03:32,955 --> 00:03:33,455 individual. 94 00:03:34,155 --> 00:03:37,009 And that's true for any health plan program, 95 00:03:37,150 --> 00:03:40,430 but especially for government programs such as Medicare 96 00:03:40,430 --> 00:03:41,489 Advantage or Medicaid. 97 00:03:42,509 --> 00:03:44,909 So through the summer, I'm sure that you, 98 00:03:45,389 --> 00:03:48,125 have seen that in home health assessments and 99 00:03:48,125 --> 00:03:50,145 in Medicare Advantage health plans specifically, 100 00:03:50,685 --> 00:03:52,705 made the the headlines of several publications 101 00:03:53,805 --> 00:03:54,305 nationwide. 102 00:03:54,925 --> 00:03:57,004 And I think the argument is less so, 103 00:03:57,324 --> 00:03:59,965 Jacob, about the benefit of an in home 104 00:03:59,965 --> 00:04:02,705 health assessment as a complement to other potential 105 00:04:02,925 --> 00:04:05,159 touch points in the health care ecosystem of 106 00:04:05,159 --> 00:04:05,900 an individual. 107 00:04:06,599 --> 00:04:08,040 Because at the end of the day, as 108 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:08,780 an industry, 109 00:04:09,319 --> 00:04:11,020 I think we need to meet individuals 110 00:04:11,639 --> 00:04:14,040 where they are physically and in their care 111 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:17,274 journey. And and many, especially the senior population, 112 00:04:17,495 --> 00:04:18,714 values that undivided 113 00:04:19,014 --> 00:04:21,095 attention that they receive when we meet them 114 00:04:21,095 --> 00:04:21,915 in their home. 115 00:04:22,455 --> 00:04:25,095 So the controversy that that, was pointed in 116 00:04:25,095 --> 00:04:25,915 those articles 117 00:04:26,295 --> 00:04:27,995 was really around the utilization, 118 00:04:28,774 --> 00:04:31,279 by the recipients of those government program dollars, 119 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:32,500 namely the health plans, 120 00:04:32,879 --> 00:04:34,339 in, how that 121 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:37,860 reimbursement is is used in delivering care that 122 00:04:38,079 --> 00:04:40,740 truly improves the outcome of those members. 123 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:42,819 So to the question, 124 00:04:43,279 --> 00:04:46,225 Jacob, of what opportunities are are most important 125 00:04:46,285 --> 00:04:49,884 for payers and payer organizations to consider with 126 00:04:49,884 --> 00:04:51,504 care moving into the home 127 00:04:51,884 --> 00:04:54,064 and how in home health assessments 128 00:04:54,444 --> 00:04:56,225 factor into this shift, 129 00:04:57,129 --> 00:05:00,269 I would say in this highly scrutinized environment 130 00:05:00,410 --> 00:05:02,410 that we operate in, I'll put a plug 131 00:05:02,410 --> 00:05:04,569 for matrix. I would say partner and lean 132 00:05:04,569 --> 00:05:07,370 on a company whose core business it is 133 00:05:07,370 --> 00:05:08,990 to perform those visits. 134 00:05:09,904 --> 00:05:12,305 So during a matrix comprehensive health and care 135 00:05:12,305 --> 00:05:15,365 assessment, Jacob, our clinicians see each patient 136 00:05:15,745 --> 00:05:18,225 in the context of their living environment wherever 137 00:05:18,225 --> 00:05:19,904 they call home. And the way I like 138 00:05:19,904 --> 00:05:22,225 to think about our assessments is really a 139 00:05:22,225 --> 00:05:24,305 head to toe, turkey head in a complete 140 00:05:24,305 --> 00:05:26,129 3 picture of an individual. 141 00:05:26,910 --> 00:05:30,110 Everything that our experienced, highly trained and board 142 00:05:30,110 --> 00:05:31,649 certified nurse practitioners 143 00:05:31,949 --> 00:05:35,250 observe and diagnose is is thoroughly documented. 144 00:05:35,870 --> 00:05:37,709 And that information is shared with the patient's 145 00:05:37,709 --> 00:05:39,949 BCP and the health plan, obviously, to help 146 00:05:39,949 --> 00:05:42,485 better coordinate and enhance the patient the patient's 147 00:05:42,485 --> 00:05:43,305 care management. 148 00:05:44,485 --> 00:05:47,285 In in that way, Jacob, our organization really 149 00:05:47,285 --> 00:05:49,845 operates as an extension to the broader care 150 00:05:49,845 --> 00:05:51,384 ecosystem of an individual. 151 00:05:51,764 --> 00:05:52,264 We 152 00:05:52,644 --> 00:05:54,600 we are what I like to think of 153 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:57,240 the eyes and ears in the home of 154 00:05:57,240 --> 00:05:59,800 that patient on behalf of their everyone else 155 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:01,720 who cannot be in the home of that 156 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:02,220 patient. 157 00:06:03,399 --> 00:06:04,459 The other piece 158 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:07,535 to think about is is because we spend 159 00:06:07,595 --> 00:06:09,754 quality time with people in their home, Jacob, 160 00:06:09,754 --> 00:06:10,254 frankly, 161 00:06:10,714 --> 00:06:13,435 probably more than most other key stakeholders in 162 00:06:13,435 --> 00:06:16,235 the care ecosystem of that individual is able 163 00:06:16,235 --> 00:06:17,375 to spend with them. 164 00:06:17,834 --> 00:06:19,694 We develop a trusted relationship 165 00:06:20,235 --> 00:06:21,615 with each of those 166 00:06:21,959 --> 00:06:24,439 patients that we see, which really allows us 167 00:06:24,439 --> 00:06:26,300 to get people to take action. 168 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:29,720 So not only do we thoroughly assess and 169 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:32,199 document what a patient needs, but we also 170 00:06:32,199 --> 00:06:34,620 connect them to medical and nonmedical 171 00:06:35,399 --> 00:06:36,620 services and resources 172 00:06:37,475 --> 00:06:40,535 that can improve their health, wellness, and overall 173 00:06:40,675 --> 00:06:41,975 their quality of life. 174 00:06:42,514 --> 00:06:44,754 So I like to think about our clinicians 175 00:06:44,754 --> 00:06:45,654 and our organization 176 00:06:45,955 --> 00:06:48,274 as kind of a health companion in a 177 00:06:48,274 --> 00:06:48,774 way. 178 00:06:49,235 --> 00:06:51,350 You know, that little trusted voice on your 179 00:06:51,350 --> 00:06:54,550 shoulder, that trusted resource that empowers you to 180 00:06:54,550 --> 00:06:57,189 navigate, to take action, to stay on track 181 00:06:57,189 --> 00:06:58,330 with your health regimen, 182 00:06:59,270 --> 00:07:02,754 help optimize resources, and and potentially improve outcome 183 00:07:02,754 --> 00:07:03,335 and and connect 184 00:07:03,955 --> 00:07:05,634 the care that is delivered in the home 185 00:07:05,634 --> 00:07:07,875 with the rest of the care network for 186 00:07:07,875 --> 00:07:09,335 everyone that we touch. 187 00:07:10,275 --> 00:07:11,335 So the most 188 00:07:11,875 --> 00:07:12,935 the more sophisticated 189 00:07:13,314 --> 00:07:14,455 maybe payer organizations 190 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:18,439 look at the in home health assessment, Jacob, 191 00:07:18,439 --> 00:07:20,060 as what I call 192 00:07:21,079 --> 00:07:22,279 or what I like to think of as 193 00:07:22,279 --> 00:07:23,259 the first domino. 194 00:07:24,040 --> 00:07:27,180 The domino that will tilt all other dominoes 195 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:29,959 in the care ecosystem of that individual that 196 00:07:29,959 --> 00:07:31,245 we see in their home 197 00:07:31,545 --> 00:07:33,704 in a much more personalized and in a 198 00:07:33,704 --> 00:07:36,824 much more orchestrated way because of the level 199 00:07:36,824 --> 00:07:39,004 of specificity that we're able to provide 200 00:07:39,384 --> 00:07:41,884 through that comprehensive assessment that we perform. 201 00:07:42,345 --> 00:07:45,144 So in home health assessments are sometimes, you 202 00:07:45,144 --> 00:07:46,920 know, contested in terms 203 00:07:48,180 --> 00:07:50,279 of being one additional step, 204 00:07:50,899 --> 00:07:53,399 in lieu of a relationship with a PCP 205 00:07:53,460 --> 00:07:55,560 or a relationship with a specialist. 206 00:07:56,259 --> 00:07:57,960 That's not what they are. 207 00:07:58,464 --> 00:08:00,404 When they're purposely organized 208 00:08:00,785 --> 00:08:03,925 in addition to other scheduled care encounters, 209 00:08:04,865 --> 00:08:08,084 they really serve the purpose of seeing, recording 210 00:08:08,225 --> 00:08:08,725 things 211 00:08:09,185 --> 00:08:11,370 that we see in the home that cannot 212 00:08:11,370 --> 00:08:12,889 be seen in an office or in a 213 00:08:12,889 --> 00:08:15,449 hospital setting. So in many ways, the in 214 00:08:15,449 --> 00:08:16,189 home visit 215 00:08:17,290 --> 00:08:19,850 has the ability to become that activation point 216 00:08:19,850 --> 00:08:21,710 for more personalized care delivery 217 00:08:22,330 --> 00:08:24,995 and the point of coordination for many other 218 00:08:24,995 --> 00:08:26,514 actors that need to be part of that 219 00:08:26,514 --> 00:08:28,854 care ecosystem to really coordinate 220 00:08:29,314 --> 00:08:30,454 and partner better 221 00:08:30,834 --> 00:08:32,054 to enhance the outcome. 222 00:08:33,235 --> 00:08:35,554 Understood. So I really appreciate the thoroughness of 223 00:08:35,554 --> 00:08:38,360 your answer there, Catherine. And overall, really, it 224 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:40,940 seems like the opportunities here for health plans, 225 00:08:41,799 --> 00:08:43,959 is is going directly into the member's home, 226 00:08:43,959 --> 00:08:46,519 meeting the member where they are, seeing the 227 00:08:46,519 --> 00:08:49,000 things that impact their health, like you said, 228 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:52,214 developing that that trusting relationship, and then leading 229 00:08:52,214 --> 00:08:54,454 them to those potential touch points within the 230 00:08:54,454 --> 00:08:55,834 broader health care system, 231 00:08:56,214 --> 00:08:58,794 to then improve their health overall. 232 00:08:59,495 --> 00:09:01,254 In that vein, Catherine, can you share an 233 00:09:01,254 --> 00:09:03,914 example of of how these in home assessments 234 00:09:03,975 --> 00:09:05,034 can help identify 235 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:07,519 health related issues that that might not be 236 00:09:07,519 --> 00:09:10,179 apparent to clinicians during traditional 237 00:09:10,639 --> 00:09:13,679 on-site visits. You mentioned being that companion to 238 00:09:13,679 --> 00:09:14,340 your members 239 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:16,720 on the ground. What what does that mean? 240 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:18,480 Can you can you give us an example 241 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:21,235 of a patient that is really seeing how 242 00:09:21,235 --> 00:09:23,334 these in home assessments can can improve 243 00:09:23,714 --> 00:09:24,695 their health outcomes? 244 00:09:25,475 --> 00:09:27,554 Sure. And maybe I'll start by sharing a 245 00:09:27,554 --> 00:09:29,975 statistic with with our audience, Jacob. 246 00:09:30,754 --> 00:09:34,840 Last year, for one of our large client 247 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:35,340 nationwide, 248 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:37,100 25% 249 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:41,960 of the membership that we saw in their 250 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:44,139 home on behalf of that health plan, 251 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:45,580 didn't 252 00:09:46,024 --> 00:09:48,585 seem to have any other encounter with the 253 00:09:48,585 --> 00:09:49,565 health care system 254 00:09:50,024 --> 00:09:50,764 that year. 255 00:09:52,105 --> 00:09:54,504 So when you talk about things that may 256 00:09:54,504 --> 00:09:55,804 not be seen 257 00:09:56,424 --> 00:09:59,330 at another point of care being the PCP 258 00:09:59,330 --> 00:10:00,870 or specialist for 25% 259 00:10:01,250 --> 00:10:03,169 of those members that we saw for that 260 00:10:03,169 --> 00:10:04,470 health plan last year, 261 00:10:04,850 --> 00:10:07,809 those members didn't see any other PCP. So 262 00:10:07,809 --> 00:10:09,110 we truly are, 263 00:10:09,649 --> 00:10:11,570 the eyes and ear, and it's sometimes the 264 00:10:11,570 --> 00:10:12,070 only 265 00:10:12,595 --> 00:10:14,215 health care encounter for 266 00:10:14,674 --> 00:10:18,375 a certain population and specifically for underserved, rural, 267 00:10:18,835 --> 00:10:20,934 and sometimes dual eligible or, 268 00:10:21,955 --> 00:10:24,355 people that are not as literate with the 269 00:10:24,355 --> 00:10:26,195 health care system and sometimes afraid of the 270 00:10:26,195 --> 00:10:27,095 health care system. 271 00:10:27,620 --> 00:10:29,320 So we've got many, many stories, 272 00:10:30,100 --> 00:10:33,399 Jacob, which which we, are found of internally, 273 00:10:33,779 --> 00:10:35,799 stories from patients who have called 274 00:10:36,179 --> 00:10:39,699 the organization to thank the nurse practitioner that 275 00:10:39,699 --> 00:10:42,195 that came to their home for the excellent 276 00:10:42,195 --> 00:10:43,414 care that they provided. 277 00:10:44,195 --> 00:10:46,054 The the visits are really impactful 278 00:10:46,595 --> 00:10:49,254 in in the sense that in many cases, 279 00:10:50,195 --> 00:10:50,695 they 280 00:10:51,475 --> 00:10:51,975 really 281 00:10:52,434 --> 00:10:53,794 help people in in in a way that 282 00:10:53,794 --> 00:10:56,779 they were not expected as our nurse practitioner 283 00:10:56,840 --> 00:10:58,279 enter the home. So I'll give you a 284 00:10:58,279 --> 00:10:59,100 couple of examples. 285 00:10:59,639 --> 00:11:00,860 One of the patients, 286 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:03,100 that I that I remember, 287 00:11:03,879 --> 00:11:05,660 will name that person, Claude, 288 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:07,899 said that the nurse practitioner 289 00:11:09,174 --> 00:11:11,434 who visited my home was efficient. 290 00:11:12,295 --> 00:11:13,274 She was amazing. 291 00:11:13,815 --> 00:11:16,535 I have an amputated leg and struggled to 292 00:11:16,535 --> 00:11:19,014 get out of my home. After the visit, 293 00:11:19,014 --> 00:11:21,350 she reached out to some contacts, and I 294 00:11:21,350 --> 00:11:23,269 will soon be receiving a ramp for my 295 00:11:23,269 --> 00:11:24,570 home at no cost. 296 00:11:25,110 --> 00:11:25,610 Understand 297 00:11:26,070 --> 00:11:28,970 benefit from the health plan. And Claude, 298 00:11:29,509 --> 00:11:30,009 finishes 299 00:11:30,629 --> 00:11:33,110 by saying, I'm grateful because my life will 300 00:11:33,110 --> 00:11:34,410 be improved now. 301 00:11:35,174 --> 00:11:37,595 So that's one example, Jacob. Another example, 302 00:11:38,054 --> 00:11:39,835 that I have here from a patient, 303 00:11:40,215 --> 00:11:40,955 named Doris. 304 00:11:41,414 --> 00:11:43,975 Doris said the nurse practitioner was very thorough, 305 00:11:43,975 --> 00:11:44,794 very professional, 306 00:11:45,414 --> 00:11:46,394 and very attentive. 307 00:11:47,014 --> 00:11:48,394 Using a stethoscope, 308 00:11:48,950 --> 00:11:51,990 she heard an irregular heart sound and recommended 309 00:11:51,990 --> 00:11:53,929 that I see my primary care provider. 310 00:11:54,470 --> 00:11:57,289 The primary care provider then ordered a Doppler 311 00:11:57,429 --> 00:11:59,049 of my carotid artery, 312 00:11:59,509 --> 00:12:02,330 and the results showed that I had 86% 313 00:12:02,789 --> 00:12:03,289 blockage. 314 00:12:03,904 --> 00:12:05,904 They immediately took me to surgery, and it 315 00:12:05,904 --> 00:12:06,644 was successful. 316 00:12:07,345 --> 00:12:10,144 I truly believe the matrix nurse practitioner saved 317 00:12:10,144 --> 00:12:10,804 my life. 318 00:12:11,504 --> 00:12:14,725 So those are examples, Jacob, where really, 319 00:12:15,425 --> 00:12:16,404 again, they're they're 320 00:12:17,139 --> 00:12:19,459 stunning examples of of how being in the 321 00:12:19,459 --> 00:12:22,259 home at that moment in time, spending the 322 00:12:22,259 --> 00:12:22,759 time, 323 00:12:23,379 --> 00:12:24,440 having a conversation, 324 00:12:24,899 --> 00:12:27,620 observing people in their contextual environment, in the 325 00:12:27,620 --> 00:12:30,339 case of Claude, where a ramp would have 326 00:12:30,339 --> 00:12:31,559 made his life easier, 327 00:12:32,195 --> 00:12:35,315 activating the benefits within the health plan really 328 00:12:35,315 --> 00:12:38,195 changed the trajectory, the enhance the quality of 329 00:12:38,195 --> 00:12:40,195 life of of Claude, and in in the 330 00:12:40,195 --> 00:12:42,134 case of Doris, probably saved our life. 331 00:12:43,154 --> 00:12:45,415 Wow. I mean, those are some amazing testimonials 332 00:12:45,634 --> 00:12:47,750 that you just shared, Catherine. And and to 333 00:12:47,750 --> 00:12:49,910 your point, you the the statistic you shared 334 00:12:49,910 --> 00:12:53,129 earlier, about 25% of your membership not interacting 335 00:12:53,350 --> 00:12:54,870 with any other part of the health care 336 00:12:54,870 --> 00:12:56,410 system before Matrix, 337 00:12:57,029 --> 00:12:58,629 visited them in their home. It's it's an 338 00:12:58,629 --> 00:12:59,529 amazing number. 339 00:12:59,875 --> 00:13:01,555 And something that we hear about from from 340 00:13:01,555 --> 00:13:04,675 health plan leaders constantly is that their their 341 00:13:04,675 --> 00:13:05,175 organizations 342 00:13:05,555 --> 00:13:08,514 are always striving to meet quality care access 343 00:13:08,514 --> 00:13:11,175 and health equity goals and metrics. 344 00:13:11,634 --> 00:13:14,000 So given given the examples you just shared, 345 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:15,860 Catherine, given the numbers you just shared, 346 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:18,480 why are these in home assessments so important 347 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:20,960 for health plans in terms of meeting their 348 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:23,299 their care access and other broader goals? 349 00:13:24,415 --> 00:13:27,134 Well, in many instances, you know, we talked 350 00:13:27,134 --> 00:13:28,195 about medical 351 00:13:28,894 --> 00:13:31,295 circumstances in the two example, but in many 352 00:13:31,295 --> 00:13:31,795 other 353 00:13:32,415 --> 00:13:32,915 circumstances 354 00:13:33,295 --> 00:13:34,115 or situations, 355 00:13:35,134 --> 00:13:35,634 we 356 00:13:36,335 --> 00:13:36,835 provide 357 00:13:37,470 --> 00:13:39,809 care and help and assist members, 358 00:13:40,909 --> 00:13:44,370 when they are not always able to shop, 359 00:13:44,509 --> 00:13:46,929 cook, or feed themselves. So insecurities 360 00:13:47,309 --> 00:13:49,570 for food, for shelter, for violence, 361 00:13:50,735 --> 00:13:51,955 We help members 362 00:13:52,414 --> 00:13:52,914 by 363 00:13:53,375 --> 00:13:56,834 identifying problems related to to housing, to economic 364 00:13:56,975 --> 00:13:57,475 circumstances, 365 00:13:58,334 --> 00:13:59,054 and and, 366 00:13:59,695 --> 00:14:00,815 some some of them, 367 00:14:01,455 --> 00:14:03,075 in terms of their limitations 368 00:14:03,455 --> 00:14:05,580 in activities and of daily living. 369 00:14:05,980 --> 00:14:09,899 So that that in home encounter, again, because 370 00:14:09,899 --> 00:14:12,639 we do spend anywhere between 45 371 00:14:13,019 --> 00:14:14,240 to 60 minutes 372 00:14:14,540 --> 00:14:15,040 minimum 373 00:14:15,580 --> 00:14:17,835 with that individual in their home, 374 00:14:18,715 --> 00:14:20,795 and having been on ride along with myself, 375 00:14:20,795 --> 00:14:22,095 Jacob, with our clinicians, 376 00:14:22,475 --> 00:14:24,235 it's fair to say that the first 5, 377 00:14:24,235 --> 00:14:27,754 10 minutes, it's not different, very different from 378 00:14:27,754 --> 00:14:28,254 probably 379 00:14:28,795 --> 00:14:30,795 the encounter that you would have with your 380 00:14:30,795 --> 00:14:33,740 PCP in in office setting or in any 381 00:14:33,740 --> 00:14:35,120 other health care setting. 382 00:14:35,580 --> 00:14:38,720 But with time passing and the conversation 383 00:14:39,179 --> 00:14:41,580 or or the encounter taking more of a 384 00:14:41,580 --> 00:14:42,080 conversational 385 00:14:42,860 --> 00:14:43,360 style, 386 00:14:43,899 --> 00:14:45,759 you get to understand 387 00:14:48,044 --> 00:14:48,544 circumstances 388 00:14:48,924 --> 00:14:49,745 a lot better 389 00:14:50,365 --> 00:14:52,125 than, again, maybe the 8 to 10 or 390 00:14:52,125 --> 00:14:54,044 15 minutes that you'll you'll spend with a 391 00:14:54,044 --> 00:14:56,284 specialist if you're lucky. And if you're lucky 392 00:14:56,284 --> 00:14:59,085 in the case of of Claude, right, if 393 00:14:59,085 --> 00:15:00,764 you if you're not able to actually get 394 00:15:00,764 --> 00:15:03,829 out of home, the chances that you get 395 00:15:03,829 --> 00:15:05,909 access to that care, that you get access 396 00:15:05,909 --> 00:15:07,850 to the resources that health plans 397 00:15:08,309 --> 00:15:10,570 absolutely look to provide to their membership. 398 00:15:11,029 --> 00:15:12,409 But if you don't have 399 00:15:13,284 --> 00:15:15,605 information as to what is relevant and what 400 00:15:15,605 --> 00:15:17,924 will help this person return to living the 401 00:15:17,924 --> 00:15:19,625 best possible life, no matter 402 00:15:20,085 --> 00:15:20,585 what 403 00:15:21,044 --> 00:15:24,485 condition, health condition, and or life circumstances they're 404 00:15:24,485 --> 00:15:25,304 dealing with, 405 00:15:25,839 --> 00:15:29,039 it it's really an enhancer to everything else 406 00:15:29,039 --> 00:15:31,460 that's already in place for that person 407 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,000 in the way they, they take care of 408 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:35,539 themselves on a day to day basis. 409 00:15:36,559 --> 00:15:39,200 Absolutely. It's such a great point. And I 410 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:41,264 I also wanna ask because you brought up 411 00:15:41,264 --> 00:15:43,585 going to some of these assessments yourself and 412 00:15:43,585 --> 00:15:46,725 and seeing how your clinicians operate with patients. 413 00:15:47,184 --> 00:15:49,205 How would you say then, Catherine, that technology 414 00:15:49,345 --> 00:15:52,225 is helping to benefit your clinicians during these 415 00:15:52,225 --> 00:15:53,524 these in home assessments? 416 00:15:54,259 --> 00:15:56,580 And is there anything further on the horizon 417 00:15:56,580 --> 00:15:58,980 that you'd add in terms of rapidly evolving 418 00:15:58,980 --> 00:16:00,899 technology that you really think is going to 419 00:16:00,899 --> 00:16:01,799 make an impact, 420 00:16:02,259 --> 00:16:04,039 during these assessments for your clinicians? 421 00:16:04,659 --> 00:16:07,700 Yeah. Absolutely. The technology technology at Matrix is 422 00:16:07,700 --> 00:16:08,679 really an enabler 423 00:16:09,154 --> 00:16:11,795 to the in home health assessment and delivery 424 00:16:11,795 --> 00:16:12,455 of care. 425 00:16:13,235 --> 00:16:15,315 What is most important to us though as 426 00:16:15,315 --> 00:16:17,875 an organization is that our clinicians are able 427 00:16:17,875 --> 00:16:20,855 to use their clinical judgment to evaluate 428 00:16:21,475 --> 00:16:23,154 the whole person that is in front of 429 00:16:23,154 --> 00:16:24,295 them and to drive 430 00:16:24,669 --> 00:16:25,730 all care decisions. 431 00:16:27,070 --> 00:16:29,490 The technology that supports our clinicians 432 00:16:30,429 --> 00:16:31,970 is meant to be intuitive. 433 00:16:33,070 --> 00:16:35,870 It really needs to empower them to apply 434 00:16:35,870 --> 00:16:36,610 their expertise. 435 00:16:37,164 --> 00:16:38,845 And it needs to enable them to perform 436 00:16:38,845 --> 00:16:40,065 at the top of their license 437 00:16:40,445 --> 00:16:42,845 when they face the patient in their home. 438 00:16:43,884 --> 00:16:45,485 Currently and through the end of the year, 439 00:16:45,485 --> 00:16:47,325 we are in the process of deploying a 440 00:16:47,325 --> 00:16:50,225 new proprietary whole person care management platform, 441 00:16:50,524 --> 00:16:51,539 Jacob, at Matrix. 442 00:16:51,940 --> 00:16:53,559 And this new technology platform 443 00:16:54,179 --> 00:16:56,820 really, will allow our provider to deliver a 444 00:16:56,820 --> 00:16:58,199 comprehensive health assessment, 445 00:16:58,980 --> 00:16:59,720 care assessments, 446 00:17:00,259 --> 00:17:02,980 but would also make sure and ensure that 447 00:17:02,980 --> 00:17:06,345 they stay focused on each patient encounter and 448 00:17:06,505 --> 00:17:09,384 have that encounter really be tailored to what 449 00:17:09,384 --> 00:17:11,944 matters the most to that individual at that 450 00:17:11,944 --> 00:17:13,724 moment in time in their care journey. 451 00:17:14,904 --> 00:17:16,444 Specifically, the the technology 452 00:17:17,464 --> 00:17:20,069 provides compared to what we were using before, 453 00:17:20,309 --> 00:17:23,130 enhanced functionality and, more importantly, interoperability, 454 00:17:24,149 --> 00:17:25,049 which enable 455 00:17:25,829 --> 00:17:27,450 our clinicians to participate 456 00:17:27,829 --> 00:17:29,289 in the care planning 457 00:17:29,750 --> 00:17:31,829 of each of those individuals in a much 458 00:17:31,829 --> 00:17:34,009 more in a much more meaningful manner. 459 00:17:34,904 --> 00:17:35,305 Will, 460 00:17:35,865 --> 00:17:39,325 enable our clinician to assist members with accessing 461 00:17:39,384 --> 00:17:42,025 those benefits that are essential to enhancing their 462 00:17:42,025 --> 00:17:42,525 care, 463 00:17:43,225 --> 00:17:44,765 outcomes and their health outcomes 464 00:17:45,144 --> 00:17:48,105 and also appropriately connect their those patients to 465 00:17:48,105 --> 00:17:51,329 their personalized care ecosystem. Again, it's rare that 466 00:17:51,329 --> 00:17:53,970 somebody doesn't have a caregiver or trust their 467 00:17:53,970 --> 00:17:55,509 pharmacist or maybe their 468 00:17:55,809 --> 00:17:56,950 their church association. 469 00:17:57,649 --> 00:17:59,029 How do we make sure that 470 00:17:59,569 --> 00:18:00,629 inter interoperability 471 00:18:01,169 --> 00:18:01,909 and the, 472 00:18:02,369 --> 00:18:02,869 information 473 00:18:03,250 --> 00:18:05,894 and data that every point of care 474 00:18:06,275 --> 00:18:09,414 collects is made available to the broader ecosystem 475 00:18:09,555 --> 00:18:11,255 so that everybody is always 476 00:18:11,795 --> 00:18:13,894 up to speed as to what's 477 00:18:14,195 --> 00:18:16,275 happened the most recently and what the next 478 00:18:16,275 --> 00:18:16,775 appropriate 479 00:18:17,634 --> 00:18:18,855 next step should be. 480 00:18:19,549 --> 00:18:21,250 So when we think about advancement 481 00:18:21,549 --> 00:18:22,210 to technology, 482 00:18:22,829 --> 00:18:24,910 Jacob, I think of it in in mostly 483 00:18:24,910 --> 00:18:26,829 two ways. 1, we need to continue to 484 00:18:26,829 --> 00:18:31,009 focus on continuously improving that provider patient experience. 485 00:18:31,069 --> 00:18:33,744 So the technology being in the background, the 486 00:18:33,744 --> 00:18:36,644 technology being an assistant and enabler, but 487 00:18:37,105 --> 00:18:39,825 the really unique vantage point that we have, 488 00:18:39,825 --> 00:18:41,585 spending as much time as we do in 489 00:18:41,585 --> 00:18:43,924 a patient's home, on a in an individual's 490 00:18:44,305 --> 00:18:47,440 home to really turn the technology to facilitate 491 00:18:48,059 --> 00:18:50,400 the most the best possible experience, 492 00:18:50,940 --> 00:18:53,420 during each of the encounters that we, that 493 00:18:53,420 --> 00:18:54,799 we perform every year. 494 00:18:55,340 --> 00:18:57,580 And then the second area for for us 495 00:18:57,580 --> 00:18:58,640 in terms of advancements 496 00:18:58,945 --> 00:19:02,144 and continued enhancements to technology will certainly be 497 00:19:02,144 --> 00:19:03,445 in terms of the interoperability 498 00:19:03,904 --> 00:19:04,724 that I mentioned 499 00:19:05,265 --> 00:19:07,365 to really make that real time information, 500 00:19:08,545 --> 00:19:10,884 available at the the the tip of everybody's 501 00:19:11,025 --> 00:19:13,365 fingers, everybody who's part of the care ecosystem 502 00:19:13,664 --> 00:19:16,190 so that each encounter is personalized 503 00:19:16,730 --> 00:19:18,829 and that each encounter is 504 00:19:19,450 --> 00:19:20,509 net accretive 505 00:19:21,049 --> 00:19:22,569 in the way I like to think about 506 00:19:22,569 --> 00:19:25,450 this to the rest of that individual care 507 00:19:25,450 --> 00:19:25,950 ecosystem. 508 00:19:27,445 --> 00:19:29,845 There is a lot of waste today in 509 00:19:29,845 --> 00:19:30,904 the health care system, 510 00:19:32,484 --> 00:19:35,545 which which comes in the form of repeating 511 00:19:36,164 --> 00:19:36,664 activity 512 00:19:37,445 --> 00:19:40,085 because we don't have the information available. So 513 00:19:40,085 --> 00:19:42,404 how do we make that information circulate a 514 00:19:42,404 --> 00:19:43,144 lot better? 515 00:19:44,930 --> 00:19:47,170 Technology should be what allows the aggregation of 516 00:19:47,170 --> 00:19:48,309 all that structured 517 00:19:48,690 --> 00:19:51,570 and unstructured data and information that we have 518 00:19:51,570 --> 00:19:54,470 about an individual, which could be care medically 519 00:19:54,609 --> 00:19:56,930 related, could be social, could be whatever it 520 00:19:56,930 --> 00:19:58,575 is. But that 521 00:19:58,875 --> 00:19:59,934 aggregation of information 522 00:20:00,234 --> 00:20:01,214 should then allow 523 00:20:01,674 --> 00:20:03,615 every actor in that care ecosystem 524 00:20:04,154 --> 00:20:06,634 of every individual to be informed to be 525 00:20:06,634 --> 00:20:09,034 up to date with the latest development of 526 00:20:09,034 --> 00:20:11,214 the health situation or the the the environmental 527 00:20:11,434 --> 00:20:11,934 situation 528 00:20:12,554 --> 00:20:15,099 and really more importantly, educated as to what 529 00:20:15,099 --> 00:20:15,920 to do next. 530 00:20:16,859 --> 00:20:17,359 So 531 00:20:17,660 --> 00:20:20,140 to me, technology, Jacob, is what makes that 532 00:20:20,140 --> 00:20:21,039 end of 1 533 00:20:21,580 --> 00:20:22,240 a reality. 534 00:20:22,539 --> 00:20:23,839 It it adds specificity. 535 00:20:24,220 --> 00:20:25,954 It adds context, precision 536 00:20:26,575 --> 00:20:28,095 to the health care system the way we 537 00:20:28,095 --> 00:20:29,855 know it today and the way it operates 538 00:20:29,855 --> 00:20:32,194 today, which is mostly based on averages. 539 00:20:33,855 --> 00:20:36,174 Absolutely. Well, clearly, a lot of exciting things 540 00:20:36,174 --> 00:20:38,174 coming down the pipeline for both the matrix 541 00:20:38,174 --> 00:20:39,554 and in home care 542 00:20:39,869 --> 00:20:40,529 more broadly. 543 00:20:41,390 --> 00:20:43,869 But before we go, Catherine, what else are 544 00:20:43,869 --> 00:20:45,630 we missing? You you have the ears of 545 00:20:45,630 --> 00:20:48,130 a lot of health care leaders nationally. 546 00:20:48,509 --> 00:20:49,950 What else would you like to share with 547 00:20:49,950 --> 00:20:50,450 them? 548 00:20:51,390 --> 00:20:54,644 I am personally excited, Jacob, about the future 549 00:20:54,644 --> 00:20:56,164 of health care. I think the health care 550 00:20:56,164 --> 00:20:59,044 industry in the US has a unique opportunity 551 00:20:59,044 --> 00:21:00,025 to to reinvent 552 00:21:00,484 --> 00:21:03,065 care delivery models, and and home is definitely 553 00:21:03,765 --> 00:21:05,144 the place where people, 554 00:21:05,765 --> 00:21:06,904 want to consume, 555 00:21:07,525 --> 00:21:09,680 health care, more of it to the extent 556 00:21:09,680 --> 00:21:10,500 that they can. 557 00:21:11,359 --> 00:21:13,440 And and home is is where we will 558 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:15,460 be able to meet individuals and patients, 559 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:17,839 where they are and and where they wanna 560 00:21:17,839 --> 00:21:19,839 consume that care in the home, in the 561 00:21:19,839 --> 00:21:20,339 community. 562 00:21:21,119 --> 00:21:22,900 Technology has transformed many 563 00:21:23,255 --> 00:21:24,235 aspects of our lives, 564 00:21:24,695 --> 00:21:26,375 and it can, and I think it will 565 00:21:26,375 --> 00:21:28,134 continue to push the boundaries of health care 566 00:21:28,134 --> 00:21:29,515 in the way we know it today. 567 00:21:29,975 --> 00:21:33,595 Matrix touches about a 1000000 lives every year. 568 00:21:33,654 --> 00:21:34,055 And, 569 00:21:34,855 --> 00:21:36,855 in this context of being in the home 570 00:21:36,855 --> 00:21:37,674 of a 1000000 571 00:21:38,220 --> 00:21:40,400 patients every year in partnership 572 00:21:41,339 --> 00:21:43,599 with health plan payers as well 573 00:21:44,140 --> 00:21:46,960 as health systems and providers around the country, 574 00:21:47,819 --> 00:21:50,779 the organization I and the organization look forward 575 00:21:50,779 --> 00:21:52,480 to really be part of that revolution 576 00:21:52,779 --> 00:21:53,085 that 577 00:21:53,644 --> 00:21:56,365 will empower every individual to live their best 578 00:21:56,365 --> 00:21:59,424 life no matter who they are and wherever 579 00:21:59,724 --> 00:22:00,704 they call home. 580 00:22:01,724 --> 00:22:04,365 Wonderful. Well, Catherine, thank you so much for 581 00:22:04,365 --> 00:22:06,845 your time and for sharing your insights with 582 00:22:06,845 --> 00:22:09,160 our listeners today. We truly appreciate 583 00:22:09,859 --> 00:22:11,240 it. Thanks for having me. 584 00:22:11,779 --> 00:22:14,099 I'd also like to thank our podcast sponsor 585 00:22:14,099 --> 00:22:16,900 for this episode, Matrix Medical Network. You can 586 00:22:16,900 --> 00:22:19,240 tune in to more podcasts from Becker's Healthcare 587 00:22:19,380 --> 00:22:22,119 by visiting our podcast page at beckershospitalreview.com.