MDinteractive Health offers no-cost between-visit support for Medicare patients in Massachusetts

Original Medicare patients in Massachusetts can now get regular check-ins between doctor visits at no cost through Medicare’s ACCESS Model. MDinteractive Health says the program is designed to help people with chronic conditions stay on track with treatment, readings and symptoms while keeping their own doctors in the loop.

Why it matters: - Chronic-condition management often breaks down between appointments, when patients are left to interpret symptoms, readings and medication changes on their own. - MDinteractive Health’s program aims to close that gap for Original Medicare patients in Massachusetts without adding out-of-pocket cost. - The model could make day-to-day care easier for patients managing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and depression or anxiety.

What happened: - MDinteractive Health began offering between-visit support to Original Medicare patients in Massachusetts through Medicare’s ACCESS Model. - The service is available at no cost to eligible patients. - Patients can call (888) 634-0815, visit mdinteractive.health, or find the organization in the CMS ACCESS Participant Directory on Medicare.gov. - Clinicians can also refer patients through the same directory.

The details: - Sarah, MDinteractive Health’s AI care assistant, checks in with patients by phone between appointments. - Sarah helps patients stay on track with medications and readings, shares condition guidance and alerts the patient’s doctor when something seems off. - Patients whose care plan includes blood pressure monitoring receive a home monitor at no cost. - The monitor sends readings to the care team automatically. - The device does not require wifi, a smartphone or setup. - The program is available to people in Massachusetts with Original Medicare Parts A and B who are managing chronic conditions. - Covered conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, chronic pain, depression and anxiety. - Participation is voluntary. - Patients keep their own doctors. - The program does not change Medicare coverage or benefits. - Medicare pays MDinteractive Health directly. - MDinteractive Health waives the small monthly cost-sharing patients might otherwise owe. - Patients pay nothing.

Between the lines: - The program is built around the idea that more frequent, low-friction contact can prevent small issues from becoming bigger ones. - The no-cost structure removes a common barrier for older adults who might otherwise skip extra support. - The automated blood-pressure device suggests a push toward simpler remote monitoring, especially for patients who may not use smartphones or home internet. - MDinteractive Health is positioning its service as support layered on top of existing physician care, not a substitute for it.

What's next: - Eligible patients can enroll now by phone or through the Medicare participant directory. - Clinicians can begin referring patients who may benefit from added between-visit support. - MDinteractive Health says the service will continue under Medicare’s ACCESS Model with physician oversight.

The bottom line: - Massachusetts Medicare patients with chronic conditions now have a no-cost option for regular, between-visit support that aims to improve adherence, monitoring and communication with their doctors.