Aetna Partnership Gives Access to At-Home Caregiver Services

Aetna recently announced a new partnership with CareLinx that will provide eligible Medicare members access to at-home caregiver services as part of their benefits.

“Finding a qualified caregiver who can help you or your loved one can be challenging. Resources like CareLinx will simplify the process and will connect Aetna Medicare members to qualified caregivers who can join us in supporting our members’ individual needs, preferences and overall health goals,” said Christopher Ciano, head of Aetna Medicare.

Three out of four adults over the age of 50 would like to stay in their home or home community, according to a study by AARP. However, they are not very optimistic about the reality. Only 59 percent believe that they will be able to stay either in their house or in their area.

Not only is living at home more desirable, it is also more affordable. A fifth of seniors will spend over $25,000 on long-term care, with $219.9 billion in healthcare spending going to long-term care in 2015.

By partnering with CareLinx, Aetna will be able to address the needs of its aging members for affordable care in their own homes or communities.

Through CareLinx, members or their caregivers describe their needs and are paired with a care team from Aetna’s network of 300,000 experts. These professionals step in to assist with IADLs such as administering medicines, providing meals, transportation, and cleaning.

The program also incorporates a digital support system, Care Plan, which allows CareLinx Care Advisors to send messages and updates to the primary caregiver in real time. This kind of care offers stability and security to the senior and peace of mind for the caregiver.

The member’s primary caregiver--often a relative--are also looking for programs like CareLinx that provide personal support and can serve as a resource.

The caregiver is an invaluable part of a member’s care team, with 63 percent communicating with healthcare professionals about the member’s condition and 50 percent considering themselves an advocate for their loved one.

However, despite all of the services that they provide and how integrated they are into their loved one’s care routine, they do not always receive the assistance that they need.

More than financial aid, non-professional caregivers are looking for personal and informative help. When asked to consider several policies, only three in ten caregivers preferred a policy that offered financial aid. Only 28 percent of caregivers in the study had sought out financial assistance, but 84 percent would like more resources about caregiving.

Both members and their caregivers are looking for in-home caregiver solutions.

Government programs are beginning to recognize this as well. As mentioned in a Commonwealth Fund study, under the CHRONIC Care Act, Medicare Advantage enrollees with one or more comorbid and complex chronic conditions will be able to receive in-home care, transportation, and other forms of aid aside from medical and financial help.

The Commonwealth Fund study notes that social isolation, education, and other economic and demographic disadvantages should be considered when targeting services and assistance. These findings emphasize the uniqueness of each enrollees’ needs and conditions and that each individual requires a health plan that fits their situation.

The coming years may see more partnerships like the one between Aetna and CareLinx as public and private payers listen to member and caregiver demands for in-home caregiver services assistance.