Hospital-Alternative Care at Home
At-home care directly managed by a hospitalist physician, for serious or chronic conditions that might otherwise require hospitalization.
Learn about a different way to address serious or chronic illness.
Hospital-Alternative Care begins with a recommendation from a healthcare professional or your health plan. If you believe Hospital-Alternative Care might be a good fit for you or a loved one, we encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider.
We’ll work with you and your healthcare provider on a care plan that meets your needs right at home, whether that’s just a couple of days of observation and support, or up to 30 days of monitoring and care.
Our professionals bring the safety and expertise traditionally associated with hospital care to the comfort of your home. Every Hospital-Alternative Care plan is directly managed by a hospitalist physician. While every patient is different, some of our most common Hospital-Alternative Care services include:
Performing EKGs, bloodwork and other tests as needed
Connecting you with services like meal delivery, physical therapy and more
Every patient is unique and the best way to know if Hospital-Alternative Care is right for you is to talk to your healthcare provider. We treat many of the most common serious and chronic conditions, as well as cases involving more than one significant health concern.
COPD
Pneumonia
Heart failure
Respiratory infections
Cellulitis
Acute kidney injury
Metabolic disorders
Complicated UTI
A hospitalist physician directly manages every Hospital-Alternative Care plan. You’ll be supported in your home by the same kinds of experienced healthcare professionals you might see in a hospital, and remote support from your hospitalist physician is always just a call away.
Doctors
Physician Assistants
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Medical Technicians
Lab Technicians
Hospital Alternative Care FAQ
DispatchHealth accepts most major insurance plans in the areas we serve. For eligible patients in our insurance network, Hospital-Alternative Care is usually covered at the same rate as a traditional hospital stay. We always recommend checking with your insurance plan to confirm costs.
Your cost for Hospital-Alternative Care is typically the same as an in-network hospital stay. We’ll bill your insurance, and your insurance plan will determine the percentage of the total bill for which you are responsible. As with any healthcare service, the amount you owe may vary depending on whether you’ve met your deductible, so it’s a good idea to check with your health plan.
We employ physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and registered nurses -- the same kinds of experienced healthcare professionals you might find in a hospital. Hospital-Alternative Care always begins with a visit from a healthcare professional to your home. Based on your needs, members of your care team will continue to provide care in person or remotely throughout your Hospital-Alternative Care support. An emergency medicine doctor is always on call.
Your healthcare provider will help you decide if Hospital-Alternative Care is the right choice for your needs. This support can be a good fit for many patients dealing with serious or chronic medical conditions that would otherwise require a hospital stay.
No. We work as a partner to your usual healthcare providers, and keep in close touch with them during your care to make sure everyone’s on the same page. Once you’re feeling better, you’ll keep seeing your usual healthcare team to manage your ongoing care.
Yes, for conditions that can safely be treated and monitored in the home, Hospital-Alternative Care can be an excellent alternative to a hospital stay. However, if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.