Clover Health taps MedArrive to vaccinate its homebound MA members

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Clover Health is partnering with MedArrive to offer in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to its Medicare Advantage members.

MedArrive's platform serves payers and providers who can use it to send emergency medical service (EMS) providers into patients' homes to conduct basic clinical services. If needed, the in-home providers can virtually loop in the patient's physician to provide additional oversight.

As an insurance provider for the senior population, a portion of Clover's members are homebound and may struggle to get vaccinated on their own. The company is partnering with MedArrive to begin sending its network of EMS providers into members' homes to get them vaccinated.

The program is kicking off in New Jersey, according to the announcement.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Even now, as more than 75% of adults in the U.S. have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, new cases are on the rise. In fact, the U.S. is reporting the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases since last winter's peak, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This spells trouble for unvaccinated older adults, who are at an increased risk for severe illness, hospitalization and death, according to the CDC.

But beyond the risk unvaccinated seniors are putting on themselves by delaying getting the jab, is the burden they'd place on the U.S. health system if they were to get sick and need care. For example, between June and August, $5.7 billion was spent on hospital care for unvaccinated COVID-19 patients, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The KFF says that despite the hefty price tag of developing and administering vaccines, the shots will ultimately save the health system money by preventing costly hospitalizations.

The partnership between Clover Health and MedArrive aims to address these risks by giving patients the care they need in their homes.

"Many Clover members have disabilities or face other challenges that can make it difficult for them to leave their homes, even to obtain life-saving medical care like the COVID-19 vaccine," Kumar Dharmarajan, associate chief medical officer of Clover Health, said in a statement.

"This service allows our most vulnerable members to get essential care in the most timely and convenient way possible, which we believe will ultimately improve their quality of life, reduce hospital admissions and drive down healthcare costs."

THE LARGER TREND

Clover manages care for Medicare beneficiaries in 11 states, including Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont.

Last year, the company went public after completing a merger with the special purpose acquisition company Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. III.

Around the same time it hit the public markets, Clover announced it was partnering with Walmart to offer MA plans in Georgia. The deal marked Walmart's first foray into insurance.

But this summer, when Clover announced plans to grow its geographic footprint, the company also shared it is ending its partnership with the retail giant. In its announcement, Clover said there will be no material change in benefits for those plans or any service disruptions.

Twitter: @HackettMallory
Email the writer: mhackett@himss.org