Health Care Articles: Get the Facts Here

Haley Bennett, MPH

In observance of Public Health Week 2024, this review underscores the imperative need for equitable healthcare access across the United States. Especially in expansive rural landscapes, the demand for accessible and equitable healthcare is evident. We will explore the strategic integration of telehealth appointments conducted by lactation consultants and doulas, as well as shed light on the consequential challenges posed by the lack of telehealth coverage by insurance companies. Embark on a journey to explore how telehealth is breaking down barriers and providing a lifeline for rural communities facing the unique challenges of lactation support.

Unraveling the Rural Health Dilemma

Rural communities face unique challenges in accessing high-quality healthcare, highlighted by the 2022 findings from the March of Dimes Maternity Care Desert Report. While not explicitly addressing lactation concerns, the report underscores the overall inadequacy of maternal support nationwide. As featured in the CDC’s 2022 report, it is clear that there has been a substantial decline in breastfeeding during the initial six months of an infant’s life. This underscores the necessity for improved assistance to mothers on their breastfeeding journey, extending beyond the hospital setting well into the postpartum period.

Picture a small town where the nearest lactation consultant is hours away, posing a daunting challenge for new mothers. The lack of accessible support services leaves these women feeling isolated, navigating the intricacies of breastfeeding on their own. This rural health dilemma is not just a statistic; it’s the real narrative of people striving for the best possible start for their infants.

In this landscape with scarce connectivity and limited resources, traditional support falls short. Mothers yearn for expert advice, reassurance, and a sense of community beyond geographic boundaries. Here, telehealth emerges as a beacon of hope, crafting a new story of inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment.

Geographic Isolation:

Geographically isolated rural areas pose significant barriers for residents accessing healthcare, particularly expectant mothers. As explained in a 2023 Ballard Brief written by David Clove. Residents travel twice as far as their urban counterparts to access healthcare, encountering challenges such as further facility proximity, lack of transportation, and communication barriers. These issues, compounded by socioeconomic factors, emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive healthcare solutions, intensifying struggles, especially concerning lactation.

Scarce Resources:

Geographically isolated rural areas, characterized by extensive distances and low population density, present substantial challenges for expectant mothers accessing healthcare. The logistical hurdles, including limited facility proximity, transportation constraints, and communication barriers, underscore the need for urgent and accessible healthcare solutions, exacerbating difficulties, particularly in lactation support.

Shortage of Medical Professionals:

The shortage of medical professionals, particularly in breastfeeding and prenatal education, poses a critical challenge in rural areas, straining healthcare resources and limiting options for expectant mothers. A National Library of Medicine article reveals the impractical time demands for primary care physicians, which are typically the only available options in rural areas. This further contributes to adverse health outcomes and increased healthcare costs for both mothers and infants.The absence of telehealth and mandated nurse-to-patient ratios compounds the issue, potentially leaving some mothers without adequate support during labor. This substantial deficit in medical professionals, especially in preventative medicine, plays a pivotal role in the widespread healthcare challenge in rural areas.

Insurance Coverage for Telehealth Services:

Insufficient insurance coverage for telehealth services poses a significant barrier, particularly impacting expectant mothers in rural areas as they navigate healthcare challenges. The lack of comprehensive policies for telehealth, covering services like lactation consultants and doula care, creates a substantial obstacle, hindering access to vital virtual consultations. This limitation not only obstructs lactation and doula support but extends to various aspects of maternal care, encompassing routine virtual appointments and preventative measures.

The Potential of Telehealth: Enhancing Maternal Care Access

In an era where Medicaid covers 42% of US births, telehealth lactation providers are adopting an equity-driven approach to enhance maternal care access. Serving as a catalyst, telehealth not only bridges geographical divides but also tackles healthcare disparities for expectant mothers in underserved regions. This innovative solution facilitates virtual consultations, connecting mothers with healthcare providers and delivering essential prenatal care, lactation consulting, and preventive services.

As telehealth becomes more accessible, its potential to reduce healthcare costs and improve overall maternal care is increasingly evident. Engaging in virtual consultations with a doula has been shown to substantially lower C-section rates. A recent study indicates when mothers who have previously undergone a C-section, and engage in two or more doula visits virtually, their odds of having another cesarean are reduced by 60%. (Maven, 2023).

This exciting discovery suggests that virtual consultations have the potential to yield similar positive impacts as in-person visits. We strongly encourage insurance companies to consider incorporating telehealth as a legitimate avenue for care, recognizing its ability to address maternal healthcare challenges and contribute to a more inclusive and cohesive approach.

Strategies for Policy Change: Advocating for Inclusive Telehealth Coverage

Recognizing the distinctive challenges faced by expectant mothers in rural America, this section emphasizes the importance of comprehensive insurance coverage for telehealth services and outlines actionable strategies for policy reform that address the multifaceted healthcare needs of rural communities. Engaging in crucial conversations, fostering community involvement, and forging collaborative partnerships emerge as pivotal strategies.

Advocating for Evidence-Based Lactation and Doula Coverage via Telehealth:

Promote evidence-based maternal services that harness the transformative capabilities of telehealth
Highlight success stories of mothers who have obtained access to care through telehealth and have obtained tangible outcomes, resulting in reduced maternal healthcare costs.
Collaborate with your community partners: healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers to develop telehealth guidelines tailored to the needs of expectant mothers in rural areas.

Supporting Telehealth Reimbursement Approaches in Policies

Survey your healthcare providers and obtain feedback on what they feel an ideal policy would be. (i.e provider type, reimbursement rates, cpt codes, etc.).
Review policies in neighboring states for barriers and/ or policy replication
Collaborate with policymakers to create financial incentives for insurance companies that adopt inclusive telehealth coverage.

Expanding Specialized Providers in Maternal Care:

Advocate for the expansion of specialized telehealth providers focused on maternal care in rural regions (Doula, Lactation Consultants, Midwives, etc.)
Collaborate with board associations and doula certification organizations to encourage the expansion of RN licensing and Doula certification recognition within their state.
Propose incentives or grants to attract specialized providers to underserved rural areas, ensuring a robust network of professionals offering comprehensive maternal care services both in person and via telehealth.

Implementation of these strategies actively contributes to reshaping policies that foster inclusive telehealth coverage. This initiative envisions a future where maternal care in rural America is more accessible and equitable, aligning with the goals and responsibilities of legislation and policy makers.

An Evolving Landscape of Unity and Accessible Care

As we conclude our exploration of the transformative landscape of telehealth in maternal care, a vision of unified and accessible healthcare, particularly in rural America, takes center stage. The collaborative efforts of dedicated advocates and individual initiatives have not only highlighted challenges in rural care deserts but have also charted a strategic path forward. Despite obstacles, the steadfast belief endures that every expectant individual deserves comprehensive and equitable healthcare, regardless of their location or financial circumstances.

If you would like more information regarding how you can advocate and build health equity for your members through telehealth, please email our Strategic Partnerships team at strategic.partnerships@aeroflowinc.com or schedule time with us below.

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References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 31). Breastfeeding report card. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm

Clove, D. (2023, August 2). Healthcare access disparities among rural populations in the United States. Ballard Brief. https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/healthcare-access-disparities-among-rural-populations-in-the-united-states

March of Dimes. (n.d.). Medicaid Coverage of Births: United States, 2020. March of Dimes | PeriStats. https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/data?reg=99&top=11&stop=154&lev=1&slev=1&obj=18

Maternity Care Deserts Report. March of Dimes. (n.d.). https://www.marchofdimes.org/maternity-care-deserts-report#:~:text=U.S.%20(2022%20REPORT)-,NOWHERE%20TO%20GO%3A%20MATERNITY%20CARE%20DESERTS%20ACROSS%20THE%20U.S.%20(2022,care%20and%20no%20obstetric%20providers

Maven Clinic. (n.d.). Association Between Doula use on a Digital Health Platform… : Obstetrics & Gynecology. Obstetrics & Gynecology. https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/fulltext/2024/02000/association_between_doula_use_on_a_digital_health.4.aspx

Porter, J., Boyd, C., Skandari, M. R., & Laiteerapong, N. (2023, January). Revisiting the time needed to provide adult primary care. Journal of general internal medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9848034/

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Mike Cantor, Chief Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Health.

Dive into our blog inspired by our webinar, “Data Driven Strategies: Harnessing The Unanticipated Power of Partnerships In Value-Based Care,” to discover the opportunities Aeroflow Health brings to health plan value-based care initiatives. From tailored strategic alignment and seamless data integration to quality measures, innovative solutions, and cost-effective strategies, we’re dedicated to exceeding expectations. For a deeper understanding and comprehensive insights, don’t miss the chance to watch the webinar playback.

How can health plans effectively collaborate with their provider community, including DME providers, to ensure a seamless and coordinated approach to delivering value-based care?

Amanda: Immediately, I think of the phrase “building a care team,” and I think it’s essential to recognize that there are multiple providers that play a part in a patient’s care journey. In our experience, as a DME, we’ve seen patient journey mapping to be very helpful in the collaboration process. Understanding who the patient is engaging with and when they are doing so, helps us to pinpoint patient journeys that have gone well that we would want to try and duplicate and also those who haven’t had a positive journey, so that we can understand where gaps in care might be present. I believe many solutions are in place that ensure a seamless and coordinated care approach, and when health plans look at unlikely providers like DME, there are more significant resources that can be tapped into.

Ryan: Opening up lines of communication with health plans and DME suppliers is crucial. When health plans understand the touch points that we have with the patients as the medical equipment supplier, and vice versa, when we as the DME understand the journey from a health plan perspective, the patient is able to receive a holistic continuum of care. One way in particular that Aeroflow Health approaches this topic is by providing integrated solutions where and when the patient wants to be met. We also have seen this come into play regarding “notification of pregnancy.” In many cases, we are able to partner early with these moms in their maternal journey and provide resources like breast pumps and education. For example, I know that through our partnership with Sentara Health, we’ve been able to impact many mothers.

Could you share examples or success stories where health plans have successfully integrated DME providers into their value-based care initiatives, resulting in improved patient outcomes?

Kate: Sentara has had a very successful partnership with Aeroflow, specifically with our Mom & Baby program. One of the many advantages has been receiving member- level data, which has allowed us to reach out in a more timely manner and actively engage our members where they are. Receiving ongoing data like “notification of pregnancy” has been huge for us. This has helped us know when to reach out to members and engage them with our programs regarding breastfeeding and other additional educational resources. Aeroflow and Sentara’s goals align, and this has allowed us to utilize and leverage the information we receive. We want positive patient experiences for all of our members, so when we hear that our partnership with Aeroflow is closing gaps in care like breast pump utilization and education on breastfeeding that leads to moms being able to breastfeed in their desired timeframe, we’re thrilled. Being able to partner with Aeroflow in a member’s journey from conception to post-partum has allowed Sentara to offer programs of longevity.

Amanda: To piggyback off Kate, Aeroflow has been able to do more than just provide a data feed; we’re able to extend trust by notifying patients that they are going to be receiving outreach from their health plan partner. This warm handoff encourages and facilitates better engagement and provides a sense of empowerment for patients. The secondary piece is collaboration. Early on, we discussed with Sentara the pieces of communication that they wanted their members to be aware of, and Aeroflow was able to provide that wraparound service for them.

How can health plans leverage data and analytics to gain insights into the patient journey and identify opportunities for collaboration with DME providers to enhance the overall quality of care?

Amanda: I think notifications of pregnancy are just the start. When we map out the patient journey, the points of follow-up are made clear, and health plans and DMEs are able to see the gaps in care where we as a team can collaborate to intervene. Health literacy, in particular, is a huge opportunity for collaboration. Most people don’t understand insurance at a fundamental level, and Aeroflow has really been able to step in the gap to help educate patients and provide resources that make the often stressful circumstances less uncomfortable.

Lauren: Not only has Aeroflow Health been dedicated to providing patients with the supplies they need, like breast pumps and CPAP devices, but we’ve also been a partner in education through transparency that has built trust. We do the heavy lifting for patients as far as working with their insurance plan provider and determining the services and supplies that they are eligible for through their insurance. We’re able to lay out in a clear, concise manner what benefits are available and then provide any counseling or education they need along the way in their choices. We’ve also been able to learn what modality of communication is best for patients which we are able to relay to health plans to assist in their engagement strategies. We help health plans meet their members where and how they would prefer.

What do health plans have to gain by partnering with DME providers?

Amanda: DME vendors are definitely the unexpected partner. This is unfortunate as DME’s are one of the most engaged partners in care for patients. There is a great opportunity for health plans to build bridges of trust between the patient, health plan and medical equipment provider.

Ryan: Trust in healthcare is very important when it comes to the continuum of care for patients. When health plans choose to collaborate and open lines of communication with the DME provider, the DME provider can help drive the health plans’ overarching engagement goals. DME providers often have valuable data such as social determinants of health, mental health assessments and more.

What are some challenges or barriers that health plans face when trying to align with the provider community, including the DME providers? What is being done to address these challenges?

Amanda: A couple of barriers come to mind. Often, we put so much emphasis on the financial model of value-based care models and so you’ll see like capitation or sole sourcing, which is of course the goal that we’re all marching after. We all want to have some financial gain and achievement that generates a lower cost to the patient and satisfies the providers and health plan partners, but where I believe we potentially hit some failures is when this becomes the key driver. When we don’t ask questions like, “what is the patient actually doing and how is the patient actually navigating through this?” it becomes a more substantial burden on our health plan partners. I think if we can look at who’s already in the markets, get an assessment of how they’re actually performing in those markets, what the perception by the provider, health plan and patient communities is and how they are all engaging together, I think that’ll give us a good indicator of who we should be pursuing a value-based partnership with. We spend a lot of time looking into complaints and overall satisfaction levels instead of looking deeper into data like Net Promoter Scores and other reports of patient satisfaction. I also think there has to be some sort of reward mechanism that incentivizes a positive experience. It takes a team being aligned on goals to achieve well-rounded care.

Kate: I think some of the obvious challenges and barriers include communication, collaboration and goal alignment. As a health plan, we want to see increased patient engagement and member experience but we also want more positive health outcomes.
A part of this is increasing access for the members to get what they need and that’s where a DME plays a crucial part. If a patient doesn’t have access to the products and supplies they need, they are unable to meet their care goals. Years ago, when Sentara was researching providers that could supply products and coinciding programs that had a wraparound care approach, we found Aeroflow. This really led to our decision of partnership.

Lauren: Over the course of healthcare history, it’s not been common for patients to have a lot of choice as it relates to healthcare. Aeroflow understands this sore spot and has built out experiences for patients where they can feel in control of their health journey. For example, for those who choose to breastfeed, selecting a breast pump is an incredibly personal decision, and we understand the value of giving moms the choice of which breast pump suits their individual needs. Another piece of this is the additional piece of being able to provide lactation support and education via telehealth. Aeroflow is able to bridge the gap here. The convenience of utilizing these services leads to more moms needing the education they need to start breastfeeding or to continue even when difficulties arise.

Can you provide insights into the role of technology in facilitating communication and collaboration between health plans and their provider community, especially DME providers, to deliver more patient-centric and value-based care?

Lauren: Technology has made our processes more efficient for both our patients and customer service teams. It has also allowed us the time and flexibility to provide more of a white-glove solution for our patients that aren’t as comfortable with technology. We’ve been able to put more intentional time and care towards that more at-risk patient base and make sure they aren’t lost in the process.

To learn more about how Aeroflow partners with health plans to provide value-based care solutions, subscribe to our email communications here.

Michael Cantor, M.D.

Dr. Mike Cantor is a geriatrician and attorney who has extensive experience designing and implementing value-based care, quality improvement, and care management programs for healthcare providers and health plans. He works as a fractional (part-time) Chief Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Healthcare, Uber Health, and other technology-enabled health services companies, value-based care organizations and digital health companies. Previous roles include: CMO for Bright Health Plan, an innovative health
insurer; CMO for CareCentrix, a leading outsourced home health, durable medical equipment, and post- acute care benefits manager recently acquired by Walgreens; and CMO for the New England Quality Care Alliance (NEQCA), the physician network affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, where he implemented network-wide quality improvement and care management programs for 150,000 managed care lives. He trained in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and did his geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has degrees in law and medicine from the University of Illinois.

Ryan Bullock

Ryan serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Aeroflow Health, a premier nationwide provider of durable medical equipment. In his current position, Ryan oversees strategic operations, corporate development and government relations. For over 14 years, Ryan has provided exceptional leadership, management and vision to Aeroflow, resulting in incredible growth and profitability for the company. Ryan holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Electronic Engineering from Western Carolina University and resides with his family in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.

Amanda Minimi

Amanda is the Director of Corporate Development at Aeroflow Healthcare, the largest provider of breastfeeding equipment and services in the nation. Amanda has led Aeroflow Healthcare's health plan partnership initiatives where there collaboration-based solutions have led to better outcomes through high patient engagement and increased instances and duration of breastfeeding. Amanda also serves as the co-chair of AAHomeCare's Breastfeeding Coalition, a team that works with states and health plans to advocate to reduce barriers in access to breastfeeding.

Kate Maas

Kate Maas has focused her nearly 20-year career specializing in Medicaid populations. She is the Manager of Marketing, Development and Outreach at Sentara Health Plans–Virginia’s largest Medicaid plan. She has held health plan and managed care leadership roles for the past 12 years. With a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the joint Eastern Virginia Medical School and Old Dominion University program, Kate is an expert in maternal and child health, as well as program development for member and community engagement.

Lauren Bennett

Lauren Bennett is Chief Operating Officer for Aeroflow Health, where she leads national operational performance and experience. Lauren joined Aeroflow Health in 2014 and has held a variety of leadership roles within the company in strategy, experience, innovation, data analytics and growth. In her current role, Lauren oversees more than 200 operations employees and leaders across multiple business areas at Aeroflow Health. Lauren's priority is improving the experience for patients, health plans, providers and employees. Previously, Lauren was Vice President of Aeroflow Sleep and Director of Sales Operations for Aeroflow Breastpumps. She is known for driving innovation and efficiency through implementing state of the art automation with a goal of delivering a seamless patient experience

Written by Kristin Polson

Senior Marketing Manager

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Ryan Bullock, Chief Strategy Officer

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made significant changes to the ordering process for positive airway pressure (PAP) and respiratory assist device (RAD) supplies. These changes, outlined in a Dear Physician Letter from the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) Medical Directors, aim to simplify the Standard Written Order (SWO) for supplies. This landmark change underscores the dedication CMS has towards reducing administrative barriers that prevent access to care.

The update encourages physicians to use general descriptions like “CPAP Mask” or “Mask – Fit to Comfort” to accommodate mask variations without requiring a new SWO for each change. This flexibility not only reduces administrative burdens by ordering providers and DME suppliers but also ensures patients receive the most suitable masks and supplies without delays.

Flexibility for Physicians:

Physicians are now freed from the previous obligation to specify the mask type (e.g., full-face mask, nasal mask, nasal cushions, etc.) when prescribing items such as PAP devices and their associated components. This change allows physicians to issue a more general prescription, reducing the need for extensive communication with DME suppliers as patients explore different mask options.

Impact on Patient Adherence:

Aligning the SWO with more generic terms fosters a patient-centric approach, guaranteeing convenient access to the most suitable mask without delays caused by providers seeking updated documentation.

Addressing Supplier Concerns:

The SWO requires all items that will be billed must be separately listed on the prescription. It states, “For supplies – In addition to the description of the base item, the DMEPOS order/prescription may include all concurrently ordered supplies that are separately billed (list each separately)” Both the mask and the interface must be listed separately. However, the interface can/should be listed as “Mask Interface” instead of “Mask Cushions.” Mask interface allows suppliers to bill either pillow or cushion whereas “Mask Cushions” limits suppliers to providing cushions only.

These updates from CMS represent a significant step forward in streamlining the ordering process for PAP and RAD supplies. Aeroflow Health remains committed to championing the broader adoption of these updated policies across more health plans. These changes, aimed at reducing administrative burdens and promoting patient adherence, align with the goals and objectives shared by our health plan partners.We are excited to see the positive impact these updates will have on patient care and look forward to continuing to work together to improve health outcomes for all.

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Written by Sophie Lauver, MS, RD, LDN, NBC-HWC

Registered Dietitian for Aeroflow Health

Nutrition plays a significant role in health and Americans are becoming increasingly aware of its importance. The prevalence of chronic disease is forcing a shift in focus towards nutrition, giving rise to the ‘Food Is Medicine’ movement, into the spotlight as Americans look to avoid medications and take their health into their own hands. What we eat is directly tied to our health outcomes. However, there seems to be a lack of understanding about what foods in our diet are detrimental to our health.

The Standard American Diet is high in:

Saturated fat
Excess calories
Red meat
Sodium
Processed foods
Refined grains
Added sugars

The calorie-dense and nutritionally depleted nature of the Standard American Diet is a significant contributing factor to the over two-thirds of Americans who are overweight or obese. This diet also plays a significant role in the increase in chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Looking at the top ten leading causes of death in the US, heart disease and cancer are the top two. Type 2 diabetes, also on the list, is not far behind.

This dietary pattern is illustrated in a 2010 report from the National Cancer Institute showing that nearly the entire US consumes a diet that does not adhere to the current dietary recommendations. Over 75% of men and women of all ages were estimated to be eating a diet below the recommended intake of fruit and almost 90% of men and women were below the recommended intake of vegetables. These numbers come with great consequences. An unhealthy diet contributes to approximately 678,000 deaths each year in the U.S.

The Current Nutrition Landscape and Type 2 Diabetes

Thirty-eight million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes (90-95% being type 2 diabetes) another 1.2 million are diagnosed every year. For many patients, receiving a diabetes diagnosis can be life-changing. Having diabetes puts you at a higher risk for comorbidities, or having multiple medical conditions at once. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke compared to someone without. High blood sugar, which is a key characteristic of diabetes, can damage your blood vessels and nerves over time. Uncontrolled diabetes and persistent high glucose levels can lead to blindness, amputations, kidney disease, sexual dysfunction, infections, and poor wound healing.

To prevent and effectively manage type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases, nutrition education must be prioritized.. Unfortunately, the general lack of awareness and access to nutrition education only furthers the growing numbers of those living with chronic diseases.. Barriers like finances, insurance coverage and dietician availability all lend to the growing challenge for patients to receive the nutrition counseling they need. Additionally, those who are overweight or obese may have had negative experiences with a medical professional when discussing their weight and diet that has created a fear or stigma around discussing their health with a professional.

An Emerging Solution – Medical Nutrition Therapy

Medical nutrition therapy is an evidence-based, client-driven process for managing or treating medical conditions through nutrition. Medical nutrition therapy is delivered by a Registered Dietitian.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who:

Have a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program
Complete a supervised practice requirement
Pass a national exam
Continue professional development throughout their careers.

This title ensures that the professional has adequate training and provides evidence-based interventions. Importantly, titles like “nutritionist” don’t require any specific education or training. The Registered Dietitian assesses a patient’s nutritional status, recommends dietary changes, and supports the patient through counseling strategies that promote long-term behavior change.

The Benefits of Medical Nutrition Therapy for a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes

Medical nutrition therapy and lifestyle intervention improve conditions like obesity, inactivity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Diabetes is a chronic disease where dietary and physical activity interventions can make a measurable impact. Type 2 diabetes can be well managed and even put into remission with quality diet and exercise.

For patients with diabetes, it may feel like there’s no right answer when grocery shopping, planning meals, and dining out. They may feel isolated from family and friends due to different dietary needs and may develop fears of food due to misinformation about certain food groups. Also, people who are overweight or obese often are assigned stigmas due to their weight and navigating day-to-day life in settings built for smaller-bodied people can be physically challenging.

Registered Dietitians partner with patients and help them achieve key habits including:

A diet rich in whole grains, lean protein, fiber, and plant foods
A diet low in saturated fat, sodium, and meat
Mild to moderate weight loss
150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity
Stress reduction
Familial, professional, and community support

Registered Dietitians meet patients where they are and help them work towards sustainable lifestyle changes. These changes are transformative for reducing the risk of disease complications and increasing quality of life. More insurance plans are covering medical nutrition therapy, making this life-changing service increasingly available.

Aeroflow Nutrition Services

At Aeroflow Health, we recognize the need for increased access to nutrition education and empower patients to support their health. Personalized medical nutrition therapy helps patients manage chronic disease and prevent complications in a way that works for their lifestyle. This growing gap in care spurred our teams to launch Aeroflow Nutrition Services.

Aeroflow Nutrition Services, initially targeting patients with type 2 diabetes, will simplify and support nutrition counseling by providing patients with access to a Registered Dietitian, often with zero out-of-pocket costs.

Patients will receive a transparent, compassionate customer experience from a Registered Dietitian. During sessions, detailed notes will be recorded and available for the patient’s complete medical team. Aeroflow’s team has a keen understanding of insurance that allows patients to utilize their full insurance benefits to their advantage. We remove the stress associated with finding a qualified Registered Dietitian who accepts their insurance plan. From the start, patients will be made aware of how many visits are covered and all care is also provided via telehealth, alleviating the need to travel to a provider’s office. Additionally, with Aeroflow Health’s network, patients can also get connected to additional products and supplies for diabetes, incontinence, blood pressure monitoring, sleep apnea, and wound care.

The program will expand to provide group medical nutrition therapy sessions, around topics such as introductory nutrition, heart health, and weight loss. Group-based sessions will allow patients to learn key nutrition concepts in a supportive and interactive environment of their peers with a Registered Dietitian facilitator. Aeroflow Nutrition Services’ next phase will expand to see patients with a variety of medical concerns, carrying out our mission of providing nutrition education to as many patients as possible.

To learn how Aeroflow Health can support your members and gain more insights, subscribe to our communications.

Sophie Lauver, MS, RD, LDN, NBC-HWC

Sophie Lauver is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach passionate about helping people take control of their health and get excited about nutrition. Sophie has a Bachelor's degree in Communication from the University of Delaware and a Master’s degree in Dietetics from Eastern Michigan University. Sophie has worked in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care, rehabilitation, and wellness technology, and most recently, served as the director of the nation's largest diabetes prevention program. Sophie lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband, infant son, and their two dogs and two cats. When she’s not working with clients, she enjoys cooking, not doing dishes, trying new restaurants, and spending time being active outside (especially on warm and sunny days).