Community Health Center Network and Welkin Health Announce Results of Year-Long Pilot Program Supporting Bay Area’s At-Risk Populations

2016 Health 2.0 Technology for Healthy Communities finalists, the companies will also launch a new partnership to leverage success of collaboration

Community Health Center Network (CHCN), a non-profit public benefit corporation and Welkin Health, a San Francisco-based digital health company, today marked the anniversary of their partnership as one of three 2016 Health 2.0 Technology for Healthy Communities national finalists. The companies announced the results from their year-long pilot program today at Health 2.0, as well as their new partnership which will build on the success of their complex case management program—Care Neighborhood.

A case management and care coordination program, CHCN’s innovative Care Neighborhood is designed to support the needs of the East Bay’s most at-risk populations. Initially launched at three CHCN centers, the pilot program utilized Welkin’s modular case management platform to guide Community Health Workers (CHWs) through their complex workflows and enhance communication efforts as they help patients in these underserved communities better navigate the healthcare system.

Since the program launched, Welkin has been implemented at 16 CHCN health center sites. Data from the pilot revealed over 700 patients in need of care received an intervention from a CHW, and nearly 60% of patients received one or more phone calls from a CHW to coordinate care, increasing the likelihood of patients adhering to medication, and their health regimens. Additionally, CHCN increased their case management system efficiency by 100% and saw a 100% reduction in system crashes using Welkin, allowing CHWs to focus on what matters most—patients.

“The ability to effectively engage patients and keep building on those relationships is at the core of our Care Neighborhood program,” says Rajib Ghosh, Chief Data and Transformation Officer, CHCN. “This past year, Welkin’s platform enabled us to integrate valuable patient data, drive our CHW’s workflows, and enhance communication with patients, setting our CHWs up for success as they work to close the gaps in care within these vulnerable communities.”

In addition to operationalizing complex workflows for CHWs, Welkin’s platform is integrated with the clinic EHRs, and CHCN’s claims database. It also enables communication between CHWs and patients through its six built in channels of communication such as text messaging, email, and phone.

“Many of the patients that CHCN and their CHWs support have ongoing health issues and chronic conditions. They are also living in communities that are severely underserved when it comes to healthcare resources. The ability to provide consistent care and high-touch services in these communities is critical,” says Chase Hensel, CEO and co-founder, Welkin Health.

“Working with CHCN on this important program has broadened our perspective on how best to support our partners who are focused on care navigation—making it easier for all patients to get the care they need and deserve. We’re greatly encouraged by our progress so far, and look forward to continuing our work together.”