Effective immediately, individuals with medical insurance provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey may be eligible to participate in Virtua’s industry-leading Hospital at Home program. This watershed achievement is the direct result of Virtua’s collaborative effort to advance statewide legislation and its ability to demonstrate the value of this emerging care model.

“Virtua has empowered more than 1,300 patients to recover from the comfort of their home since the launch of Hospital at Home in January 2022,” said Dr. Diego Ortega, lead physician for the program. “Now, we can broaden our scope to reach far more people and provide them with our signature outstanding experience.”

Previously, Hospital at Home was only available to those enrolled in Medicare and some Medicare Advantage programs through a federal waiver. A new state law – enacted in January 2024 – expanded coverage and invited insurers and health systems to explore implementation. Horizon provides coverage to more than 3.5 million New Jersey residents and is the largest insurance provider among Virtua patients.

“Virtua worked closely with elected officials across the state to convey the benefits of Hospital at Home and advocate for its expansion,” said Cort Adelman, JD, vice president of government relations. “Thanks to the leadership of Assemblyman Herb Conaway, MD, and Senator Joe Vitale in passing the Hospital at Home Act, Horizon has now come on board, and I am confident that other insurance providers will follow, particularly as awareness and demand grows in the community.”

Virtua Hospital at Home has provided acute care to patients representing 60 distinct medical conditions. Data demonstrates that participants generally recover more quickly and with fewer setbacks and complications than those who receive traditional hospital care. What’s more, patients and their loved ones routinely provide glowing feedback.

“In addition to being good for patients, Hospital at Home is also good for Virtua staffing, resource stewardship, and capacity,” said Michael Capriotti, MBA, senior vice president of integration and strategic operations. “Our program can care for individuals with moderate, short-term health needs. This allows hospital-based staff to focus their time and energy on those who truly need intensive or sustained intervention.”

Dr. Ortega added, “People have heard about Hospital at Home and are beginning to request it in the emergency departments and inpatient units. We are pleased to tell more and more people, ‘Let’s get you home and get you well again.’”