Numerous community groups are working to help people stay healthy. Programs that help individuals pay for expensive medications, free health clinics, and support services for chronic illnesses are just a few examples. However, the problem is that the people who need these services often don't know they're available.
The Center for Connected Health at Partners HealthCare System in Boston is putting technology to use to track patient health in the home setting. The center uses the latest technologies, from text messaging and social media to remote monitoring and patients downloading their medical records to help them take control of chronic conditions.
The Medicare Transitional Care Act of 2014 would require Medicare to provide payment for approved transition services designed to move patients safely to the next level of care.