Surging COVID cases and rapidly filling hospitals

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis a key objective has been not overwhelming the health care system, specifically hospitals who are once again facing serious capacity issues as the U.S. experiences the latest surge in COVID cases.

With lower than expected vaccination rates and the highly transmissible Delta variant, some states are seeing record breaking COVID cases and hospitalizations. During the last week of August, nearly 80 percent of ICU beds were in use nationally, and more than 30 percent of those are were COVID-19 patients. 

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s Senior Vice President Justine Handelman sat down with Contessa Home Recovery CEO Travis Messina to discuss how their home recovery model is working to transition patients out of the hospital and into the home while continuing their care. This model ultimately provides a better experience for the patient and freeing up bed space within the hospital.

Contessa Home Recovery Care is funded in part by BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners, L.P., a corporate venture fund licensed by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. The fund invests in promising emerging companies of strategic relevance to Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. These companies are bringing creative, cutting-edge solutions to the health care marketplace.