Hartford Business Journal

28 Hartford Business Journal • September 11, 2017 • www.HartfordBusiness.com 26 Hartford Business Journal • August 21, 2017 www.HartfordBusiness.com SPONSORED CONTENT "Home is an area which is kind of like a last frontier as a viable center for patient care. Clients are continuing to see its value, especially with post-acute care," she said. CareCentrix leverages technology to help connect patient experiences across different insurance providers. The company is doing something right. In less than five years' time, CareCentrix has seen a revenue rise of about 85 percent and a 70-percent increase in its employee base. The state has pledged as much as $24 million in grant money if the company will keep its headquarters in Connecticut until 2023, retain 213 jobs and create another 290 by the end of this year. "Looking at employee figures, we're on track," said Russo. The company brings all sides together for a logical goal: overseeing networks of homecare service providers and medical-equipment companies for insurers. Post-acute care is a core focus of CareCentrix, as patients often need help with transition from a rehab or skilled nursing facility to home. Support and services at this time are crucial, said Russo. "This is certainly along the area of helping patients heal appropriately. But the other thing is avoiding an unnecessary hospital readmission. It's costly for patients and for the insurance plan," as well as disheartening for the patient, she said. CareCentrix is making its mark at a time when the healthcare industry moves away from volume of care and more toward the value of care. "Value-based care makes sense, because it aligns the interests of patients, healthcare providers and payers," said CareCentrix CEO John Driscoll. "Leading provider organizations agree, and so do health insurers, including commercial plans, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care." And more and more insurers are getting on board all the time. Russo said home-health services better protect insurance companies' members, and can be delivered in a cost-effective way. "Insurers get it, or are starting to see it, especially if they've eked out savings," said Russo. In the area of durable medical goods, CareCentrix has also seen strong momentum, she said, in areas of sales of supplies like bandages, or rentals of devices like breast pumps for nursing mothers, for example. With organic growth and some clients coming from acquisitions, CareCentrix continues to move ahead. But its core principles won't change. "When we look at services, we'll continue to do what is right for members and be poised for growth," said Russo. "The library is really the cornerstone of life here in Hartford in so many ways: socially, economically, with its educational aspects," said Bridget Quinn-Carey, CEO. "We're recognized as an anchor institution." The library's modern location at 500 Main Street remained a hub for the community as its other nine branches were established. It houses the Hartford History Center, a collection on the city's history dating back to 1619. Still operating under the original Hartford Young Men's Institute charter, the library now boasts over 500,000 items. A major expansion and renovation took place in 1998. With a strong history behind it, the library strengthened its range of resources along the way, such as unemployment services, immigration and citizenship programs and offering children access to computers. It forged and maintained relationships with other community leaders and institutions. In 2016, the library and University of Connecticut announced a partnership where the West Hartford campus would lease space at the Main Street library. With its robust and long-standing role as a pillar in the Greater Hartford area, Hartford Public Library is strategically planning ahead to be sure its legacy lives on. Library representatives have been holding community presentations on a new business model that will ensure financial stability and grant its leadership ability to strengthen existing services – and possibly adding new ones down the line. Financial challenges have library leadership proactively working to preserve its role in Hartford and quality of its offerings. Quinn-Carey said the main goal of the library's new business model is to keep and eventually – expand – what the library offers. With more money going out than is coming in, cuts in hours, days open and services were on the horizon, she said. "We are spread too thinly." The new model involves tough but necessary decisions, she noted, but no layoffs. The library is closing two branches, making another into a mobile library and strengthening the others. It is looking forward to leveraging partnerships with groups like Capital Workforce Partners. What the changes will ensure the community, Quinn-Carey said, is great programs for seniors, kids and everyone in between. "We just had a robust summer learning program with 800 participants," she said, and she looks forward to more of the same. A STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) mobile unit is also planned, along with 24-hour library kiosks. With more services, more hours and strong leadership, the Hartford Public Library is set for the future. Privately owned, Hartford-based CareCentrix — a helping hand for health insurers to manage home- health benefits — has been on a winning streak of late. And, its leaders would argue, so have patients. Technological advancements, says its Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Russo, are only making the company's ability to help patients age in place even stronger, boosting the care continuum. For more than 200 years, the Hartford Public Library has been a cultural and educational fixture in the community. Originally known as the Library Company, it was started by city leaders in 1774, with 700 books. A spot where lectures and debates were held for the Hartford Young Men's Institute, it has evolved – from occupying space at the Grammar School to the Wadsworth Atheneum to opening its own building and getting its own name – with a formal name change to Hartford Public Library in 1893. CareCentrix Hartford Public Library By Susan Shalhoub By Susan Shalhoub Bridget Quinn-Carey, CEO John Driscoll, CEO Thomas Gaffney, Chief Customer Officer

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