St. Luke offers nurse on call

St. Luke Hospital in Marion has launched a new program being marketed primarily to Medicare patients, and area residents are getting calls offering it to them.

Chief executive Alex Haines said the program, designed to provide chronic care management, is a 24-hours-a-day nurse on call.

“Medicare has really been pushing us because it lowers costs,” Haines said.

To qualify, patients must have two or more chronic conditions.

Speaking to a nurse allows patients to identify things affecting their health and get information before having to go to visit a physician.

The new service is required to speak with the patient monthly.

“The name of the company we have partnered with to provide chronic care management is ChartSpan,” Haines said.

Medicare pays $80 a month for each patient, and the patient pays a minimal fee, some or all of which may be covered by supplemental insurance.

A few commercial insurers companies also cover the service, but the hospital is focusing only on Medicare.

“Currently we have over 300 patients who have elected to participate,” Haines said.