Hennepin Health received a national award in the health category from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The award was for a program that helped get housing, transportation, help with food and other services for Hennepin Health members who use HCMC.
Homeless people often visit hospitals for non-emergency healthcare. A better way for people to stay healthy are regular visits to their doctor or clinic.
Homeless Hennepin Health members who use the HCMC hospital were invited to be in the program. “Members in the program were given information about their health, got a regular doctor for follow-up care, and were set up with housing,” said Hillary Hume. “Because of this, they did not need hospital care for 30 days or longer after leaving the hospital.”
The program used current staff and funds. It helps save medical costs and improves member health. Hennepin Health members who go to HCMC for substance use disorder can now participate in the program.
Project team members were Lori Johnson, Health Rhodes, Danielle Robertshaw, Heather Simon, Dawn Strief, Hillary Hume, Molly Huff, Yang Chan, Christy Barich, Justin Dempsey, Bethany Divakaran and Daniel Hoody, MD, MSc.