Commonwealth Care Alliance of Boston this week became the first Massachusetts community-based healthcare organization proving in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to people with severe needs that keep them from travelling to a vaccine site.
The group will vaccinate nearly 500 eligible homebound residents, and has so far provided 75 vaccines.
Dr. Robert MacArthur, Chief Medical Officer for Commonwealth Care Alliance, said his group provides healthcare for 38,000 members with significant needs who require two-person assistance to leave their homes. The group was chosen, he said, because of its history of caring for members with complex needs in Springfield, Worcester and Boston.
“Our mission is really to serve people, individuals with really significant needs," MacArthur said. "So, we have a fair number of individuals who are homebound.”
To receive in-home vaccinations there are strict guidelines, MacArthur said. Commonwealth Care Alliance will follow the phased-in system set up by the state. In addition, members must be dually eligible for MassHealth (Medicaid) and Medicare with complex medical, behavioral, and social needs including disabilities.
MacArthur said CCA has a proven track record of treating people in their homes throughout the pandemic, and is proud to have gotten state approval to provide the shots.
“We are thrilled, as I said, we've been working since day one to try to provide care and provide access to all our individuals," MacArthur said. “Everyone we see has significant needs.”
