Building on the success of its prior publications, Livanta has announced the launch of The Livanta Beacon, a new e-newsletter for Medicare patients, families, caregivers, and patient advocates. With its first issue published on August 11, 2021, The Livanta Beacon is an innovative resource that engages this audience with education about the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care - Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO) Program and related healthcare topics.

Published bi-weekly, The Livanta Beacon features true-to-life stories of barriers and challenges faced by Medicare beneficiaries and their families as told to Livanta staff who assisted them. By sharing these stories as short, de-identified anecdotes, Livanta demonstrates the value of the BFCC-QIO’s Immediate Advocacy service with clear, compelling examples. The intent of each story is to shine a light on the healthcare journey in a way that readers can readily understand.

“Livanta understands that sharing patient stories is a significant way to engage with patients and their families. When stories are relatable, meaning that readers can see themselves or their situations in one of the stories, then they may be more likely to call us when they need help with their own care,” said Executive Director Lance Coss.

In addition to storytelling, The Livanta Beacon educates readers with easy-to-understand information about the clinical topic presented in each story. This section, called “Charting the Course,” advances health literacy by explaining complex healthcare processes or situations in plain language. Each electronic issue also includes links to Medicare resources and other helpful information. As an online publication, The Livanta Beacon is a unique blend of first-person narratives and practical information presented in an instructive, digital format.This instructional content and the combined power of technology, social media, and other digital platforms allow Livanta to engage new audiences. With stakeholder relationships in each of the 27 states and U.S. territories in its case review regions, Livanta routinely conducts outreach to these groups to ensure they have the information and tools they need to educate their constituents about the BFCC-QIO Program. Livanta will be leveraging its strong relationships with stakeholders in the Medicare community to extend the reach of this publication to Medicare beneficiaries. Such stakeholders include State Health Insurance Programs (SHIPs), Senior Medicare Patrols (SMPs), caregiver groups, and other organizations.

In conjunction with case review activities, Immediate Advocacy for Medicare beneficiaries and their families lies at the heart of operations within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) BFCC-QIO program. Telling stories and disseminating practical information provides an opportunity for Livanta to inspire hope and confidence that those in need can successfully navigate their healthcare journey.

Anyone can subscribe to The Livanta Beacon at no cost. To subscribe, visit: https://LivantaQIO.com/en/About/Publications .