Green & Healthy Homes Initiative and Amerigroup Launch New Program to Improve Asthma Care Management for Children
The program will improve access to care for Medicaid members by offering in-home services designed to address environmental triggers of asthma
BALTIMORE, MD (September 17, 2018) — The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) today announced a new program with Amerigroup Maryland to provide in-home health services designed to address the environmental triggers of asthma. The program will be available to 100 Amerigroup Medicaid families with children aged 2-18 who suffer from severe asthma that has resulted in hospitalization or emergency care. As part of the program, GHHI will provide comprehensive care management that includes self-management educational support that will improve access to care for Amerigroup consumers.
“This groundbreaking partnership with Amerigroup serves as a national model for how health care investments can be strategically targeted to improve health outcomes for children who suffer repeated asthma related hospitalizations and emergency department visits” said Ruth Ann Norton, GHHI President and CEO. “By delivering critical prevention services directly in the homes of those most at risk in the community, we can prevent asthma episodes that result in high medical costs and cause children to be chronically absent from school and their parents to miss work. Our goal in the end is to create healthy, stable homes which support getting kids to the classroom ready and able to learn.“
Amerigroup consumers participating in the program will receive three in-home care visits, and telephone follow up support. During the home visits, GHHI will help families to assess, medication(s) and medication management, asthma triggers and health and safety issues, identify triggers and health and safety hazards, discuss potential referrals (internal and/or external) to assist in addressing home hazards including on-site integrated pest management and the installation of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and provide asthma education materials.
In addition to the home visits and care, Amerigroup consumers will receive supply kits featuring items that can help reduce environmental triggers of asthma, such as Healthy Homes education materials, cleaning solution, gloves, sponges, and a Swiffer mop with a replacement head, pillow case covers, a mattress cover (for the child’s bed) and a vacuum.
“Amerigroup is proud to partner with the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative on a program that will address a critical social determinant of health and improve access to care for so many local children suffering from severe asthma,” said Vince Ancona, Amerigroup Maryland President. “This collaboration exemplifies our mission to supporting community initiatives that increase access to healthcare and educational materials that are critical to improving quality of life and well-being for our consumers.”
To learn more about the GHHI and the services they provide, visit www.greenandhealthyhomes.org/.
About the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative partners with cities, counties and states across the country to make sure that every child has a safe and healthy home to grow and thrive in, free of lead and other hazardous toxins, regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic status. GHHI has served 20,000 clients in Maryland and conducted 4,000 housing interventions for low income families. GHHI’s innovative Healthy Homes Asthma Programs have produced a 66% reduction in asthma related hospitalizations for families served in Baltimore City.
About Amerigroup Maryland
Amerigroup Maryland has provided health care coverage since 1999. Statewide, we serve approximately 266,000 members in the Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Amerigroup Maryland is the state’s largest Managed Care Organization (MCO) and is one of the largest MCOs in Baltimore City and the counties of Baltimore, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel. Employees share genuine pride in making a difference in the lives of people who might need a little extra help.
For Media Inquiries:
Kaletha Henry – Senior Communications Associate, GHHI
khenry@ghhi.org
410-534-6447, ext. 300
James Freeman – Public Relations Director, Amerigroup
James.Freeman2@anthem.com
215.756.2495