How Ilumed’s ACO REACH Model Transportation Benefits Transformed This Medicare Patient’s Healthcare Experience for the Better 

Thanks to ilumed’s ACO REACH model transportation benefits, 70-year-old Elaine no longer worries about where her next ride to doctor will come from, how to get it scheduled or how much it will cost. She now has reliable, free, round-trip transportation from ilumed eight times a year to and from her primary care provider, Dr. Lesley Cooven. 

Like many people, Elaine took her independence for granted until a December 2023 car crash. She suffered a concussion and hasn’t been able to drive since. In Ocean County, New Jersey, where Elaine lives, not being able to drive is a big problem. She can’t walk to the grocery store, pharmacy or her doctor’s office. Instead, she must rely on friends, family, public transportation and community services. That means planning around their schedules, waiting for rides that might never come or skimping on other needs to pay for reliable transportation. 

ilumed's ACO REACH Program Transportation Benefits Makes Getting to the Doctor Easy for Medicare Patients 

With ilumed’s ACO REACH transportation benefits, Elaine has hassle-free, dependable access to her doctor when she needs it, up to eight times a year. An ilumed member outreach specialist, schedules both Elaine’s doctor’s appointments as well as her transportation to and from the doctor.  

ilumed’s transportation benefits make Elaine’s life less stressful, which she loves. “I’ve mentioned to several people how wonderful the transportation benefit is,” Elaine said. “It makes it easier to get around.” She has one less thing to worry about when it comes to getting her healthcare needs met. 

“ilumed is a huge help,” Elaine said. “My children work, and I can’t always depend on them to be there when I need a ride.” With ilumed’s help, Elaine can maintain her independence and set a schedule that works for her rather than other people. She doesn’t need to feel like an inconvenience or a burden to her family or friends. 

Traditional Medicare Doesn’t Cover Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, but ilumed Does as Part of the ACO REACH Model 

Traditional Medicare covers emergency transportation to the hospital. It also covers medically necessary transportation in certain situations like for dialysis. Routine visits to your primary care provider, however, are not covered. 

If your primary care provider is contracted with ilumed, you’ll get up to eight free, round trip rides a year to see them, no questions asked. ilumed calls you to see what days and times work with your schedule and then books your appointment with your doctor and the ride vendor for you. It’s quick and easy, so you can just show up and focus on what matters most—your health and wellness. 

ilumed Offers Even More Patient Benefits Than Transportation as Part of the ACO REACH Program 

The ACO REACH model is designed to help patients and providers achieve the best health outcomes possible. One of the ways we do that is by offering benefits above and beyond what you get from Traditional Medicare.  

If you’re an aligned patient with ilumed, you’ll get even more patient benefits than non-emergency medical transportation, such as: 

• $0 coinsurance for primary care visits for patients who meet the criteria. 

• Team-based care so you get more support in the exam room, at home and everywhere in between. 

• Assistance with things like getting enough nutritious food, covering your essential bills and connecting with people who care about you. 

• Personalized support from outreach specialists, nurse case managers and social workers to help you get your health needs met so you can do all the things you want to do. 

How Three ilumed Team Members Support Elaine’s Health and Well-being in the ACO REACH Model 

With ilumed, Elaine has additional support outside her doctor’s office for everything she needs to maintain her health. “Doctors are understaffed and busy,” Elaine said. “I can’t always call Wendy, Dr. Cooven’s nurse, because she’s helping other patients.” Having ilumed’s support means Elaine has someone to call when she needs it. And she knows her ilumed ACO REACH support team by name because they’ve developed such strong relationships with each other. 

Elaine’s ilumed member outreach specialist, streamlines the communication and scheduling process 

Communication is hard, especially when it feels like you’re speaking two different languages. Doctor’s offices have their specialized medical language. Patients have a more common tongue. ilumed's member outreach specialists help bridge the gap between patients and providers.  

They also help speed up the process of getting an appointment. Instead of waiting weeks or months to see the doctor, she helped Elaine get in sooner and even book her transportation to and from the appointment. 

Mallary, registered nurse and ilumed case manager, helps Elaine stay on track with her treatment plan 

“Mallary helps me stay on top of everything,” said Elaine. She confirms upcoming appointments and ensures Elaine has what she needs to make healthy choices and manage her conditions.  

Adhering to her doctor’s treatment plan to recover from her concussion is critical, and it can sometimes be a lot to manage because of her head injury. That’s why having Mallary as her go-to nurse is so helpful. If Elaine leaves Mallary a voicemail, Mallary calls back right away to answer her questions. 

Haley, ilumed social worker, ensures Elaine has the essentials covered 

ilumed has a team of social workers to help patients connect with local community resources to address the essentials, like having enough nutritious food, ensuring the bills are paid and patients have the social and emotional support they need.  

Haley helped Elaine get prepared meals delivered to her door when getting to the grocery store was a struggle. While Elaine decided this service wasn’t for her, she knows this service is available to her in a pinch, giving her added peace of mind. 

Depression has been a side effect of Elaine’s concussion, so Haley has recommended services for casual phone conversations as well as online therapy. When Elaine is ready, she knows who to call. 

Medicare Transportation Assistance is Just One Part of ilumed’s ACO REACH Program Patient Benefits 

Elaine loves ilumed’s transportation benefits, yet it’s just one part of the reason why she’s feeling better. She’s got a whole team working on her behalf to make going to the doctor and staying healthy easy. Getting help with something as important as your health is a true sign of strength. 

When you’re an ilumed patient, you get more patient benefits than you would get from Traditional Medicare, and you get to keep the perks like not having to worry about referrals. You get free non-emergency medical transportation, $0 coinsurance for those who qualify, assistance for the essentials and a team who works with you and for you to ensure you feel your best. 

If you’re interested in becoming an ilumed patient like Elaine, ask your primary care doctor to learn more about ACO REACH or connect with us. 

Check out our other health and wellness content to help you take charge of your health one day at a time.