Lifespark has recently expanded its services to include in-home urgent response as part of its Lifespark Complete program. This move aims to reduce unnecessary urgent care and hospital visits while meeting the demand for value-based care arrangements. Joel Thiesen, Founder and CEO of Lifespark, announced the addition of Peter Carlson as vice president of acute response services to lead this initiative.
The integration of emergency-level care into value-based efforts addresses the growing market demand and allows Lifespark to provide services similar to those offered in a hospital setting, such as x-rays, lab work, EKGs, and sutures. By utilizing the urgent response team, Lifespark can deliver these services directly to residents in their homes, minimizing the need for hospital visits.
Thiesen emphasized the importance of utilizing residents’ medical records to determine when hospital visits are unnecessary, particularly for older adults who may experience worse outcomes in an emergency room setting. This approach has been well-received by residents living in Lifespark communities and skilled nursing facilities.
Furthermore, Lifespark is partnering with Dispatch Health for home health services and has its own primary care division. Residents with health plans from insurers like BlueCross BlueShield, Medicare Advantage, or dual eligible plans can access these services at no additional cost.
Thiesen highlighted the positive reception of the program by residents and their families, indicating significant growth opportunities on the horizon. The company envisions expanding its services both locally and nationally to cater to various populations and communities in need of value-based care.
