SCAN Wins 2025 Hearst Health Prize for Innovative Medicare Advantage Care Platform
SCAN Group, a not-for-profit healthcare organization operating one of the largest Medicare Advantage plans, received the 2025 Hearst Health Prize for its innovative PATH (Patients at Their Home) platform. PATH is designed to support primary care clinicians in delivering home-based care to senior patients by integrating electronic medical records, claims data, and health risk assessments. This integration provides a holistic view of patients' health status, utilizing a risk scoring system based on the 4Ms of geriatrics to prioritize care effectively.
The platform assists clinicians in identifying high-risk patients and optimizing visit scheduling, significantly improving care delivery efficiency. Since its implementation in 2023, PATH has become a standard part of care protocols for over 65 clinicians treating more than 6,000 patients across SCAN's service areas. The platform has led to meaningful time savings for clinical and administrative staff and contributed to improved patient outcomes, including a reduced hospital readmission rate of 7.5%.
PATH's distinctive feature is its customizable interface that allows providers to tailor their patient views based on various inputs and actionable recommendations. This capability supports dynamic decision-making in home-based primary care settings, particularly for populations in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The success of PATH aligns with broader industry trends emphasizing data-driven healthcare solutions to enhance clinical quality and operational efficiency amid workforce shortages and growing demand for senior care.
The Hearst Health Prize, awarded in partnership with UCLA's Center for AI & SMART Health, highlights impactful data science initiatives in healthcare. SCAN's recognition underscores the potential of integrated digital health platforms to improve care coordination and resource utilization for vulnerable populations. Their approach offers a replicable model for advancing geriatric care and Medicare Advantage services nationally, aligning with ongoing efforts to leverage technology in managing chronic conditions and complex care needs in aging populations.
SCAN Group operates across multiple states including California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and New Mexico, serving over 300,000 Medicare Advantage members. Their integrated care strategy through healthcare delivery affiliates addresses issues such as chronic illness, access barriers, and social determinants impacting older adults. PATH exemplifies how data integration and risk stratification can optimize health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs in managed care settings.