Meet Katie, a Registered Nurse who found new purpose at MEDELITE. With our focus on clinical excellence and data-driven care, she now helps deliver cutting-edge medical services directly to residents and facilities nationwide.
Watch her story and discover how we empower healthcare providers with autonomy, career development tools and a shared mission to care for our seniors with dignity.
Dr. Bhandari is the Founder of Infinite Medical P.C. (managed by MedElite), a nationwide network of advanced practice providers and specialty clinicians dedicated to delivering high-quality, proactive care to residents in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities.
Dr. Bhandari has had a distinguished career spanning several prestigious institutions, making significant contributions to Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine.
Her exceptional skills, compassionate approach, and dedication to patient care have earned Dr. Bhandari recognition and respect in the medical community. Her work has positively impacted countless lives, and she remains committed to advocating for eldercare improvements in her native India.
The integration of behavioral health into primary care isn’t a new concept; its roots trace back to the 1960s and 70s. However, it gained formal recognition only in the 1990s, driven by a growing understanding of its benefits. In 2017, Medicare formally incorporated these benefits, and in 2023, we proudly launched our comprehensive BHI Program, designed to optimize the mental and behavioral health of your residents.
Our BHI Program is a multi-faceted approach to addressing the complex needs of residents with mental health diagnoses and/or psychotropic medication use. We leverage expert chart reviews, personalized care plans, and ongoing staff support to ensure optimal resident well-being, mitigate medication-related risks, and achieve regulatory compliance.
Comprehensive Chart Review & Assessment: We conduct in-depth reviews of resident medical records, identifying care gaps, medication-related risks, and opportunities for clinical optimization.
Proactive DOH Survey Preparedness: We ensure your facility is survey-ready through thorough documentation and care practice reviews.
Personalized Care Plans & Interventions: We develop individualized care plans based on resident-specific needs, incorporating evidence-based interventions and pharmacogenomic considerations.
Clinical Decision Support: Our team provides expert consultation and guidance to your staff on complex behavioral health issues, medication management, and best practices.
Data-Driven Quality Improvement: We deliver interactive monthly reports with actionable insights into resident outcomes, HEDIS quality measures, and facility-wide performance.
Our BHI program caters to a range of diagnoses, including depression, anxiety disorders, BPSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD. Medicare beneficiaries with mental, behavioral, psychiatric conditions, or substance use concerns are eligible.
The BHI Program is more than a clinical service; it’s a commitment to revolutionizing the way we approach mental and behavioral health in long-term care settings. Together, let’s create a brighter future for your residents.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to the August 2023 edition of the MedElite Monthly Newsletter, our regular digest of updates for the dynamic and constantly evolving world of healthcare and wellness. Today, we begin with a note from our CMO, Dr. Rekha Bhandari, that spotlights the growing demand for comprehensive home healthcare services. Next, we provide you with comprehensive updates on the groundbreaking expansion of the Amazon Clinic, an interesting new initiative set to reshape the distribution and revenue cycles of healthcare entities across all 50 U.S. states. Our in-depth analysis delves into the potential ripple effects of this expansion, envisioning a healthcare landscape that embraces convenience, technology, and patient-centric care.
Amid this exploration, we also shed light on the cornerstone of healthy living – nutrition. Our expert insights delve into the significance of balanced and mindful eating, revealing how the right choices can fuel your journey toward optimal well-being. We also share practical and actionable tips for integrating smart nutrition practices into your daily routine. From navigating indulgences with prudence to embracing fiber-rich foods and harmonizing your nutrition with regular exercise, MedElite empowers you to take tangible steps toward a healthier, more enriched life.
On July 27th, Dr. Rekha Bhandari, CMO of The MedElite Group, published the following piece to LinkedIn discussing the genesis of and growing demand for home healthcare services:
As the global population continues to age, more elderly and chronically ill individuals are choosing to seek home healthcare, preferring the comfort and familiarity of their own homes over institutional care. This growing trend has led to an increased demand for home healthcare services. Such shifts result from concurrent trends in the broader healthcare community – namely, those related to the current state of personnel and staffing, the cost of healthcare services, and the increasing emphasis on personalized, nuanced care.
Home healthcare services have risen to increased prominence, in part, as a reactionary measure for the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased demand for at-home care following widespread staffing shortages and instances of facility inaccessibility. These ongoing deficiencies have created challenges in delivering quality care to individuals requiring specialized attention.
Home healthcare services provide an alternative solution by bringing healthcare professionals directly to patients’ homes. Many skilled nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals can provide medical care, rehabilitation services, and assistance with daily activities in the familiar surroundings of a patient’s home. This method not only helps alleviate the logistical burden placed on healthcare facilities – but also ensures that elderly and chronically ill individuals receive the care they need in a more personalized and convenient manner.
(Click here or the link above to read Dr. Rekha Bhandari’s full piece)
Amazon Clinic, the healthcare initiative launched by retail giant Amazon, has recently announced a significant expansion of its services to encompass all 50 states in the U.S. and Washington, D.C. This move marks a notable advancement in Amazon’s foray into the healthcare sector. Initially launched in a limited number of states, the clinic’s expansion underscores Amazon’s commitment to making healthcare more accessible and convenient for consumers across the nation.
The Amazon Clinic offers a range of primary care services, aiming to provide a seamless and tech-driven healthcare experience. This expansion leverages Amazon’s extensive logistical and technological infrastructure, potentially disrupting the traditional healthcare delivery model. With an emphasis on telehealth services, the clinic aims to address the growing demand for virtual care, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amazon’s entry into healthcare has triggered considerable anticipation throughout the healthcare sector. The success of this venture could shape the industry’s future landscape, as traditional providers may need to adapt their strategies to compete with Amazon’s consumer-centric approach and vast resources.
Nutrition is a cornerstone of health and wellness, as it makes up the biochemical and physiological foundation upon which we accomplish nearly all tasks and activities. Without a well-rounded diet, many aspects of life can quickly fall into disarray – from our energy levels to our immune systems’ ability to fight illness. This fact makes nutritious, balanced eating paramount for a healthier and happier life.
Here are three quick tips for boosting your daily nutrition:
Part of living is partaking in an occasional treat, whether that is a bowl of ice cream or a piece of pizza. That said, you should enjoy such indulgences in moderation – especially those rich in saturated fat and sugar. In excess, these units can lead to a range of health problems, including heart disease and tooth decay. While you do not necessarily have to sacrifice your favorite cheat foods, be sure to exercise restraint.
Fiber is an important macronutrient, as it helps your body regulate its use of sugars and, in turn, mitigates hunger and stabilizes blood sugar. Whether it’s soluble or insoluble, fiber should be a regular part of your diet if you’re aiming for a more nutritious lifestyle; you can find it in foods like oatmeal, chia seeds, legumes, and brown rice.
Though technically an adjacent field, exercise can have a direct impact on eating and nutrition. Not only does physical activity help you maintain a healthy weight in tandem with dieting – it can bolster the mental aspects of maintaining a nutritious lifestyle. In fact, some research suggests that exercise may reduce the desire to consume fattening foods, creating a beneficial cyclical effect.
As we celebrate National Diabetes Month, we stand united in our commitment to early intervention and prevention. In this issue, our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rekha Bhandari, delves into the crucial intersection of Medicaid funding and long-term care post-COVID. The potential impact on facilities and vulnerable residents emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to reform funding policies.
In industry updates, Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed cybersecurity regulations for healthcare facilities in New York take center stage. With the healthcare sector facing escalating cyber threats, these regulations aim to fortify IT systems, ensuring uninterrupted patient care during cyber disruptions.
Amidst these updates, we focus on National Diabetes Month, emphasizing proactive measures for early intervention. Explore tips from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to take charge of your health, recognize warning signs, and understand the importance of family history in diabetes prevention.
MedElite Group CMO Dr. Rekha Bhandari recently published a new article on her Medium profile, click here to read the full article.
Rising healthcare costs have remained at the industry’s forefront throughout 2023, causing needless hardship for many patients. Despite reductions in inflation across various sectors, US-based healthcare premiums and care expenses continue on an upward trajectory; this stems from a range of underlying factors that, without urgent reform, stand to persist into 2024 and beyond.
Healthcare’s perpetual unaffordability begins, in part, with substantial administrative expenses and overhead costs. The industry must overhaul its convoluted, bureaucratic billing infrastructure to reduce needless cost hikes, streamline administrative procedures, and bolster digital solutions fostering affordability and accessibility.
Along the way, the rapidly aging population stands as a crucial backdrop, as subsequent healthcare costs have risen in tandem with this metric — a detrimental reactionary trend that undercuts this vulnerable patient demographic rather than supporting their ever-evolving care needs. Critically, these measures include long-term care and treatment for an increasingly realized list of chronic conditions, which warrant an emphasis on preventative care, disease management, and early symptom identification in addition to present treatment measures. These matters, while indicative of advancing medical technology and ideology, can quickly culminate in a financial burden for healthcare at large. Achieving a balance between the benefits of these innovations and their cost implications is perhaps the most significant challenge for healthcare providers and policymakers.
(Click here to read Dr. Rekha Bhandari’s full piece.)
New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently unveiled proposed cybersecurity regulations to safeguard hospitals against cyber threats and ensure uninterrupted operations during attacks. These rules mandate hospitals to establish internal cybersecurity programs, assess risks, and devise and test incident response plans. The state has earmarked $500 million from its 2024 budget for healthcare facilities to upgrade their technology systems.
The healthcare sector faces escalating cyber challenges, with rising data breaches and hacking incidents compromising sensitive patient information. Cybercriminals target valuable data, employing tactics like ransomware, which can disrupt medical records access, delay care, and pose severe risks to patients. New York, in particular, witnessed a surge in cyberattacks, surpassing other critical infrastructure sectors last year, and the first half of 2023 indicated a doubling in cyber incidents compared to the previous year.
Hochul’s proposed regulations aim to enhance hospital IT system protections, complementing federal HIPAA rules; they require hospitals to craft comprehensive cybersecurity programs encompassing in-house and third-party applications, formulate response plans for cyber incidents, implement multifactor authentication, and appoint a chief information security officer to oversee policies.
These rules will undergo a public comment period before potential adoption, with hospitals given a year to comply if finalized. Ultimately, the regulations seek to fortify hospital cybersecurity measures and ensure continued patient care during cyber disruptions.
November is National Diabetes Month, an opportunity to highlight and spread crucial information about this far-reaching and life-altering family of conditions. This year, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has centered its annual observance around diabetes prevention – namely, methods to better identify and prevent diabetes symptoms. Such preemptive action can make a world of difference for those at risk of developing the disease.
Here are three quick tips for effective early diabetes intervention:
Even if you do not presently have diabetes, certain adverse lifestyle habits can potentially increase your chances of developing it over time. Therefore, it pays to take stock of your existing health-related habits; work to eat a balanced diet, get an adequate amount of nightly sleep, stay as physically active as possible, and remain diligent in scheduling recurring check-ups with your doctor. These considerations are particularly crucial if you are predisposed to or otherwise at risk for diabetes.
Early symptom identification is a critical asset for those who may have already developed diabetes, as it can lead to quicker, more proactive treatment. Such warning signs may include, but are not limited to:
Some forms of diabetes are linked to family history, so if you have a grandparent, parent, or sibling living with the disease, make sure to disclose this information to your doctor. By pinpointing these genetic predispositions, your doctor will have an easier time facilitating the periodic testing and bodily count analysis necessary to stay ahead of a potential diabetes emergence.
© 2024 Medelite. All rights reserved.
With hundreds of providers around the country, we are so proud of the people who make it happen on a daily basis. To join our family, please fill out the form below and a member from our recruiting team will reach out.
