November 16, 2022 – Cardinal Health announced the launch of Velocare™, a supply chain network and last-mile fulfillment solution capable of reaching patients in one to two hours with critical products and services required for hospital-level care at home. Through a strategic collaboration with Medically Home, Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions is now supporting a Medically Home health system customer with Velocare, collectively enabling scaled, high-acuity care in the home.
Velocare brings together Cardinal Health capabilities through a combined offering intended for health systems, payers, digital health companies, telehealth providers and other entities moving high-acuity care to the home. Legacy Cardinal Health capabilities include global logistics and distribution expertise, management of a large network of suppliers and vendors, and access to a wide range of home-based care providers. The pilot will test the use of new technology, new order handling processes, small-format depots and short-haul delivery vehicles to enable safe and consistent hospital-level care in the home.
With the right infrastructure in place, patients who were historically admitted to brick-and-mortar hospitals such as those with severe pneumonia, complicated urinary tract infections, cellulitis, blood infections and congestive heart failure exacerbations can now receive high-quality, safe, hospital-level care in the comfort of their homes. The Velocare pilot includes real-time evaluation of the technology, service levels, effectiveness, patient experiences, plus consideration for future growth in new markets.
A recent study by McKinsey & Company estimates that up to $265 billion worth of care services for Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries could shift to the home by 2025 without a reduction in quality or access. The same research demonstrates how stakeholders — including payers, healthcare facilities and physician groups, home-based care providers, technology companies and investors—could see substantial value by providing patients with care in the comfort of their homes. Potential benefits include cost savings due to reduced overhead and more efficient clinician protocols, increased safety due to a reduced risk of hospital-acquired infections and medical errors, plus increased patient satisfaction.