HJNO Mar/Apr 2025

42 MAR / APR 2025  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS   Healthcare Briefs Louisiana Department of Health Launches Pilot Program to Streamline ER Utilization In partnership with Acadian Health, the Louisi- ana Department of Health’s Medicaid program announces an emergency room (ER) utilization reduction pilot program launching this month across the 12 parishes comprising Region 4 (Aca- diana) and Region 5 (Southwest Louisiana). The six-month programminimizes unnecessary ambu- lance calls and ER visits while ensuring access and quality care for the state’s most vulnerable health population. “We took a close look at emergency room use by ‘super-utilisers’ over a one-year period and found opportunities to meet patient needs more effectively,” said LDH Secretary Michael Har- rington. “Through this project, we will increase access and simplify care delivery while helping hospital emergency rooms to remain highly flex- ible and accessible.” Recent data gathered by LDH’s Bureau of Health Services Financing shows that approxi- mately 20% of the state’s Medicaid patients visit local emergency rooms on average 17 times per year, often for non-life-threatening situa- tions or due to social factors, such as a lack of transportation. The pilot program extends medical services from LDH’s six Medicaid managed care organi- zations (MCOs) to patient residences via urgent mobile care provided by Acadian Health, a Lafay- ette-based provider of in-home healthcare ser- vices. It treats sick but stable Medicaid patients at home, allowing providers to address non-medical drivers of health and reducing emergency room costs and crowding. Acadian Health will provide mobile urgent treat- ment for an array of non-life-threatening medi- cal conditions, including sickle cell disease and other chronic diseases. Services will be provided daily from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. for patients ages 13 and older. “Acadian Health is honored to partner with the Louisiana Department of Health, its man- aged care organizations and their providers to deliver mobile integrated healthcare services to the patients who need it most,” Acadian Health Director of Business Development Rob Burnell said. “This collaboration allows us to provide high-quality, patient-centered care and education directly to residents across the state by serving as an extension of the healthcare community to ensure patients receive the comprehensive sup- port they need in the convenience of their homes. Together, we are enhancing access to healthcare while lowering the costs, aligning goals to help improve outcomes, and are committed to provid- ing support to patients throughout their health- care journey." Acadian Health will be delivering a two-path program: 1. Acute Care at Home is an on-demand ser- vice for patients who require same-day care within one hour. It serves as alternative care for non-traumatic hospitalizations for sick but stable patients who would otherwise seek care at the ER. 2. Clinic at Home is a proactive visit sched- uled in advance, usually 24 hours. This allows providers to extend specialty prac- tice into patients’ homes, offering treat- ment at home and the ability to address non-medical drivers of health. Acadian Health’s services include assessment, treatment, and administration of medication. The program collaborates with primary care providers and area hospitals to extend medical practice into a patient’s home. Patients must be referred to the program by their provider, hospital, or managed care organization. For more information, such as a full listing of services provided, parishes served, and reim- bursable procedure codes, visit ldh.la.gov/ healthathome. LA State Sen. Royce Duplessis to be Honored at Ascension DePaul Foundation’s Gala Ascension DePaul Foundation New Orleans (ADF, formerly Daughters of Charity Foundation of New Orleans) will honor Louisiana State Sena- tor for District 5, Royce Duplessis, with its Inspired Cross Award at its 11th Annual Keeping Our Promises Gala, presented by Quest Diagnostics. Sen. Duplessis will receive the award at the event on April 12 at the Hyatt Regency, located at 601 Loyola Avenue in New Orleans, for his efforts and dedication to promoting healthy communities. While serving in the legislature, he passed crim- inal justice reforms, championed legislation to expand access to affordable healthcare, priori- tized efforts to allow for paid sick leave, worked to make housing more affordable, and fought to enact a living wage. Most recently, Sen. Duples- sis championed legislation to require universal perinatal mood disorder screening, to end soli- tary confinement for juveniles, and to limit when mugshots can be released to the public. He is currently serving on the board of the Inno- cence Project and Governor's Council on the Suc- cess of Black Men and Boys. “Ascension DePaul Foundation is proud to honor the great work that Sen. Duplessis has done, and continues to do, to fight for the improvement of multiple communities’ over- all health and well-being,” said Michael G. Grif- fin, MSPH, DSc, FACHE, president and CEO of DePaul Community Health Centers. “We are grateful for his servant leadership and for him using his voice to make a difference, not only in the greater New Orleans area, but within the entire state of Louisiana.” ADF will also honor Phyllis Taylor, Patrick F. Taylor Foundation, Robert Angelico, and Corey Hebert, MD, at the gala. The event will begin with an exclusive Patron Party at 6 p.m., leading into the Gala at 7 p.m. The event aims to raise crucial funds to combat health disparities and ensure equitable access to high-quality healthcare for all members of the community. MatthewMutter, MD, Joins Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center announced that Matthew Mutter, MD, a general urologist, joined the Cancer Center’s Urologic Oncology Clinic in Metairie on Jan. 2. Mutter has practiced in the greater New Orleans area for eight years. He joins Mary Bird Perkins after previously serving as associate pro- fessor of clinical urology at LSU-New Orleans Department of Urology, and is a specialist in men’s health and cancer survivorship. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Kine- siology from Louisiana State University and a medical degree from the Louisiana State Uni- versity Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He completed an internship at the University of