Going the extra mile: How access to primary care transforms whole-person health

Included Health member Rick recently moved from Atlanta, Georgia to small-town Fredericksburg, Virginia to take care of his aging parents. After years of neglecting his health—partly due to past experiences with discriminatory healthcare providers—he avoided doctor visits altogether.

A few months after moving to Virginia, Rick was hospitalized for symptoms stemming from uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes. It was during this hospitalization that he was confronted with the severity of his condition. With a dangerously high blood pressure of 240/210 and his A1C levels over 15.5, Rick was also suffering from a diabetic leg ulcer that caused severe pain and limited his ability to care for himself and his family.

When Rick was discharged from the hospital, he immediately began the search for a new Primary Care Physician to help him turn his health around. He began researching local providers, only to find that there were only a few and they all had months-long waitlists. But Rick’s health couldn’t wait that long. Luckily, Rick received a benefits email from his employer, AT&T, informing him about Included Health’s Virtual Primary Care practice.

Rick downloaded the app and connected with Dr. Coe, an Included Health Primary Care Physician, that same week. Dr. Coe took the time to review Rick’s medical history prior to their call and came to the appointment with an action plan to turn Rick’s health around. He worked with his Included Health Care Team to lose over 100 pounds, drastically reducing his blood pressure and AIC levels. Rick’s health improvement eased the pain of his diabetic leg ulcer, freeing him from around-the-clock debilitating pain.

Included Health helps members like Rick access care across the country - breaking down barriers to care that typically limit those in smaller communities. Our all-in-one platform gives Included Health members the wraparound, personalized care they deserve for acute and complex concerns.