Denver resident Rich Ables used to be in and out of emergency rooms twice a week for asthma attacks. Now, he’s only had to go to the ER twice in the last year and a half. The treatment breakthrough? Helping him get an apartment and mental health counseling. CPR Health Reporter Eric Whitney says “hotspotters” look for people like Ables, who use far more healthcare than the average person, then intervene to keep them healthier.
Here's a link to our 2010 story on Colorado Medicaid's efforts to reduce overuse of emergency rooms. You can read the New Yorker's article on hotspotters here.
[Photo: CPR]
