Papa

How can I tell my patient that of everyone on my list she might be the most at risk and the least likely to get attention?” asks Australian oncologist Dr Ranjana Srivastava OAM, referring to a patient who has visited her hospital 14 times in one month. The patient’s diagnosis? Loneliness. Traditional healthcare systems weren’t designed to meet the social needs like loneliness that disproportionately drive health outcomes. And we cannot continue to rely on frontline workers to solve for them. Human connection is the solution and we’ve seen its effectiveness time and time again at Papa. In one study, a cohort of Medicare Advantage members who took at least one visit with a Papa Pal had 34% fewer emergency department high utilizers – like the patient Dr. Srivastava describes in her article – when compared to a matched cohort. Human connection and companionship should be core components of integrated care delivery models and must be revered in health care, just as blockbuster drugs are. Because so often, the Rx is human. Read Dr. Srivastava’s article in The Guardian here:

You never know the effect a simple conversation can have on someone. For #Papa member Sumaiyya, it's a reminder that we all deserve compassion regardless of the challenges life throws at us. Connecting with her #PapaPal Rosy has brought her the sense of normalcy she's been craving for so long. Learn how Sumaiyya has persevered through homelessness and other challenges and has found a sense of hope with the help of her Papa Pals: https://lnkd.in/e-A7WVPe 💙

As we reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together over the first half of the year, we’re truly inspired by the positive impact #PapaPals have made in our members’ lives. Since January, they have: 🚙 Driven members 1.6M miles across 99,500 transportation visits 🩺 Helped members attend more than 36,600 doctor’s appointments 🛒 Supported members with 19,000 grocery trips 📱 Assisted members with 3,700 technology needs 🚶♀️Got members moving across 2,100 exercise visits These visits are more than just numbers. They represent hundreds of thousands of times Papa Pals have helped members overcome barriers to their health and well-being. They tell the story of members without family or friends nearby, who struggle to find transportation to their next appointment. Members with limited mobility, who face challenges navigating the grocery store. Members recovering from surgery, who are unable to pick up their prescriptions or may be ready to start moving again, but need of some motivation. And so many more scenarios — each unique in their own way. 💙 We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to make a difference in the lives of our members and their communities this year and beyond. Thank you to our #PapaPals and clients who make this vital social support possible. 💫

Planning to host a guest with limited mobility or a disability? Or looking to make your home safer and more inclusive in general? 🏠 This #DisabilityPrideMonth, learn how easy and affordable it can be to make small changes that enhance accessibility to create a positive environment for all: https://lnkd.in/eTuuaAJb 💙

More than 60% of all Papa visits occur between members and their Preferred Pals. 🤯 These are #PapaPals who have established a connection and earned trust with a member, leading the member to request them for future visits. The result: deeper connections and visits members can count on. To further enable these meaningful relationships that are core to what we do at Papa, we’ve introduced a new feature that allows Preferred Pals to reschedule their visits directly in the #PapaPal app once they’ve coordinated with their member. 📲 This means fewer cancellations and less time spent contacting support. Preferred Pals can simply find a time that works for both them and their #Papa member, and reschedule with ease. It’s a win-win for everyone! 💫 See how it works below. ⬇️

As the D-SNP market continues to evolve and expand, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. Don’t miss our expert panel at the RISE Medicare Product Design Master Class with Kelsey McNamara, MPH, head of research and impact at Papa, Jenna Corbly, director of Medicare at CareOregon, and Matt Kranovich, principal and consulting actuary at Milliman, as they provide invaluable insights into D-SNP trends, CMS guidelines, and tips for launching or enhancing your D-SNP program. 🌟 Attend our panel, visit our booth, or schedule a meeting with us onsite to learn how #Papa’s companion care program is driving improved member experience and outcomes by meeting the complex needs of both D-SNP and MA members. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gig2FeRQ

Recent data from WellSky revealed that 25-30% of inpatient hospital stays are avoidable. When 40% of readmitted patients say that challenges at home, like transportation barriers or a lack of social support, contributed to their readmissions, the importance of companion care cannot be overstated. That’s where #Papa comes in. Our own data shows that members who have access to in-home social support demonstrate more informed use of healthcare services. These members often opt for lower-cost care and recovery at home over inpatient or facilities-based services. This shift in behavior has contributed to a 9% reduction in medical costs among Medicare Advantage members and even greater reductions for those previously identified as socially isolated. #PapaPals, like Jean, play a vital role in addressing members’ unmet needs. With personalized help right to the front door, Papa Pals ensure members receive the attention and support they need to prevent unnecessary hospital stays, support healthy recoveries, and improve overall well-being. The impact for members, and their health plans, cannot be overstated. Learn more ⬇️ 💡 Home Health Care News, Andrew Donlan: https://lnkd.in/ebWJCPEq 💡 #Papa’s ‘Proven Impact of Companion Care’: https://lnkd.in/eSsT8an4

👋 Meet Sumaiyya, a #Papa member, mother, grandmother, and newfound artist, living in Los Angeles. Sumaiyya spent much of her life feeling lonely, hurting, and without a home, but the past two years have been transformative. And Sumaiyya’s Papa Pals are playing an important role in her healing journey. Years spent on and off the streets while struggling with an undiagnosed health condition, mental illness, addiction, and trauma made it incredibly difficult for Sumaiyya to form healthy relationships. “The isolation was really really awful,” she said. Sumaiyya needed someone to talk to, and after enrolling in Papa through her health plan, she wishes she had access to the service years ago. No stranger to social services, Sumaiyya appreciates that her Papa Pals are just normal people who make her feel like their equal. They spend time together in her new apartment, enjoying tea, painting, or chatting, and sometimes they’ll go out into the community. 💙 Sumaiyya can’t get back all those years she lost on the streets, but she can move forward into a brighter future. And with her #PapaPals by her side, she won’t be moving forward alone. Learn more about Sumaiyya’s journey and the vital role human connection plays as she regains confidence and reintegrates into society: https://lnkd.in/e-A7WVPe

Did you know that over 1 in 5 people worldwide feel lonely a lot of the time? In Gallup’s inaugural measure of global loneliness, over 23% of people said they felt loneliness “a lot of the day yesterday”, even as global emotional health saw a rebound in 2023. 🌎 Loneliness is more than just a feeling; it profoundly affects many aspects of our lives. In this survey, those who felt lonely were more likely to experience every other negative feeling the poll tracked: sadness, worry, stress, anger, and even physical pain. Our own State of Social Health Report echoes these findings: 👤 1 in 5 Medicare Advantage members have no one to turn to in a time of need and loneliness is prevalent 🤒 Loneliness leads to poorer whole health across all domains and is associated with more unmet social needs and a higher likelihood of over-utilizing the emergency department Acknowledging the critical role social health plays in overall health and well-being is the first step to bridging the gap. By incorporating social health and human connection into broader initiatives, we can work towards a healthier, more connected world. Learn more: 💡 Gallup, “Over 1 in 5 People Worldwide Feel Lonely a Lot”: https://lnkd.in/eSWZCTmZ 💡 #Papa’s State of Social Health Report: https://bit.ly/3zJM4ou

Did you know July is #DisabilityPrideMonth? It’s a time for us to recognize the achievements, experiences, and struggles of people with disabilities, while commemorating the anniversary of the legislation that broke down barriers to inclusion in society. This month, it’s especially important to remember that everyone’s circumstances are unique and not all disabilities are visible. At Papa, we’re proud to partner with health plans to help make the lives of their members with varying disabilities a little bit easier. Whether it’s changing light bulbs or smoke detector batteries, picking up groceries, assisting around the house, or providing transportation, #PapaPals are here to offer personalized support tailored to each individual’s needs—when, where, and how it’s needed most. 💙 Let’s come together to ensure this community receives the respect, support, and inclusion they deserve: https://lnkd.in/eJz8KxYR