Cardiac Care June 15, 2023

Expanding Access to Cardiac Rehabilitation with Whole-Person, At-Home Care

Each year, more than 1 million Americans become eligible for cardiac rehabilitation after a coronary event, such as a heart attack, or a heart-related procedure. Cardiac rehabilitation programs are designed to support patients in leading a heart-healthy lifestyle, prevent future cardiac events and improve overall outcomes.

The statistics supporting cardiac rehab are clear. Patients who participate in 36 sessions of cardiac rehab experience a 47% reduction in the risk of death compared to those who only attend one session. Along with providing substantial benefits to patients, cardiac rehab programs can save payers an estimated $4,950 to $9,200 per patient, per year of life.

Despite their life-saving benefits, these programs remain underutilized and out of reach to many patients. Only about 25% of eligible patients start an in-person cardiac rehab program, and only a quarter of these patients complete it. We see an opportunity for an innovative approach that addresses the significant health challenges many heart and vascular patients face and to improve overall outcomes.

Getting to the heart of access issues in cardiac rehab

As we explored the underlying issues of access in cardiac rehab through an in-depth research process, we found that existing programs have several barriers:

Transportation: The current protocol requires patients to travel to three in-person, one-hour sessions per week for 12 weeks (36 appointments total). These sessions typically take place at a hospital during regular business hours, which isn’t feasible for many patients, especially those in rural communities and/or who work a “9-5” job.
Hospital capacity: Although hospitals aim to provide the best possible care, they often can’t meet the growing demand for cardiac rehabilitation. While three-quarters of patients would be interested in cardiac rehab, waiting lists can be months long.
Lifestyle education: Ingrained habits around eating, exercise, smoking and alcohol can be hard to change, so patients require long-term support and education. However, traditional cardiac rehab programs last for only three months.
Fragmented care: Evidence shows that mental health issues increase following a cardiac event, with a third of patients experiencing depression. The current model doesn’t address mental health to help patients make important lifestyle changes, leaving them underserved at a time when they most need support.

Redesign Health is introducing a solution for accessible, timely cardiac rehab, complementing existing hospital programs to increase capacity and meet patients where they are. We’re thrilled to launch a new company designed to reshape the way patients receive cardiac rehabilitation.

Introducing Motiv, a flexible cardiac recovery program

Motiv is the nation’s first virtual, in-home cardiac recovery program with integrated behavioral health support, bringing personalized care directly to patients in the convenience and comfort of their home. The Motiv platform treats the whole person—heart, mind and body— combining physical coaching, lifestyle education and behavioral science to help patients become heart-healthier. Motiv complements in-hospital programs by offering post-discharge care via a patient-friendly app, in coordination with the patient’s cardiac specialist. Patients receive a personalized care plan based on their specific goals and health needs, along with on-demand resources, support and goal-tracking tools. With Motiv, patients get dedicated support for six months—double the length of current programs—empowering them to make important lifestyle changes.

Motiv addresses barriers to cardiac recovery by helping providers reach more people who might otherwise be waitlisted or forgo care altogether. The virtual model eliminates transportation challenges, expands holistic care and alleviates long wait lists at hospitals. Patients can recover at home, surrounded by loved ones, with options for more easily accessible rehabilitation, which can make them more likely to succeed long term.

Launching a pilot program

We’re thrilled to announce a pilot program with NorthShore-Edward-Elmhurst Health (NS-EEH), a leader in cardiovascular care. NS-EEH recognizes Motiv as an innovative solution to address challenges associated with traditional cardiac rehabilitation, aligning with its new Cardiovascular Institute. Patients of NS-EEH’s Highland Park Hospital will be the first to have the opportunity to take part in the program, which is anticipated to expand to other cardiac patients later this year.

The in-home virtual cardiac recovery program is the latest innovation offered through the NorthShore Cardiovascular Institute (CVI). CVI’s world-class specialists use leading-edge tools to determine risk and detect heart disease in its earliest stages. Individualized programs guide patients through diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for simple to complex heart conditions.

Meet the team behind Motiv’s revolutionary platform

Motiv is led by a founding team of experts with backgrounds in tech, healthcare and finance who share a goal of designing a better future for cardiac care. The Motiv team is handpicked to create a holistic recovery program that motivates people to transform their lives.

Ed Sclater, CEO, is a digital health entrepreneur who co-founded Naked Labs in 2015, leading the company through its acquisition by Prism Labs in 2021. With a successful background in product design, strategy, and innovation at several startups, Ed is well-equipped to lead Motiv’s launch and growth.
Dr. Todd Rowand, CMO, is a digital health expert, with 25 years of experience in rehabilitation medicine and 20 years of experience in telemedicine.
Marisa Oge, Head of Product, is a veteran of biotech giant Amgen. She has 15 years of experience in the healthcare tech space, with expertise in human-centered design and research, behavioral science and public health. She completed doctoral studies at Harvard University.
Matthew Conboy, Head of Operations, is a clinical operations leader with diversified experience in strategy, business development, finance, risk and technology. He has worked with companies such as Ready and Cigna.
Sarah Updegraff, Clinical Lead, is a Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience working with poly-chronic patients in both a health system and startup environments.

Motiv’s whole-patient, integrated approach helps health systems serve a broader patient population, while driving meaningful behavioral change and better patient experiences and outcomes. With Motiv’s evidence-based cardiac recovery program, more patients will have the chance to reap the benefits of targeted support to improve their heart health, ultimately saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.

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