Preventive care can help save lives, which Melissa, a HouseCalls nurse practitioner, has seen firsthand.
During a HouseCalls visit in Manatee County, Florida, Melissa identified a health issue that had previously gone unnoticed by her patient. Due to the patient’s background, Melissa knew she was predisposed to diabetes. And while the patient seemed to be in great health — eating a healthy diet and exercising frequently — she also hadn’t seen a doctor in over a year.
To take extra precautions, Melissa checked the patient’s A1c, a blood test that measures average blood sugar levels over the past few months. The results indicated the patient may have a health issue, prompting Melissa to encourage her to see her primary care provider for further testing.
The next time Melissa saw the patient, she was taking diabetes medication to help stabilize her condition.
"She was so amazed that we came and did such a simple visit and brought this to her attention. It could have gone on for years without her even realizing because she thought she was in the best health possible.”
Melissa | HouseCalls nurse practitioner
The big picture
One of the best ways to manage health is through preventive care visits, during which potential gaps in care can be identified. Preventive care proactively helps keep people healthier and can prevent diseases.
HouseCalls nurse practitioners are trained to identify gaps in care and help connect their patients with the necessary resources to close those gaps.
The impact
HouseCalls aims to improve preventive care by enabling nurse practitioners to go into Medicare Advantage members’ homes to educate and encourage them to live their healthiest lives.
Read more about the benefits of HouseCalls here.
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