Bluestone Primary Care
Delivering great outcomes to patients living with chronic conditions
Our unique, robust model of care is tailored to patients living with multiple complex, chronic conditions and disabilities, and is delivered in their comfortable, familiar surroundings at living communities throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin and Florida.
Bluestone Primary Care Providers — Physician Assistants or Nurse Practitioners who partner with a collaborating Physician — lead an integrated team of nurses, social workers, complex and behavioral health care managers, and collaborate with living community staff, other providers and families, to help patients manage their health and achieve quality of life goals.
With Bluestone Primary Care, patients receive:
- Routinely scheduled on-site, in-home visits to adequately manage complex and chronic medical conditions.
- Urgent care and same day visits to address acute concerns — in person and via telehealth.
- Regular assessment of falls, cognitive status, depression and frailty.
- Comprehensive care plan development to ensure alignment of treatment plan and resources with patient-centered goals of care.
- Referrals to specialists as appropriate.
- Access to the Bluestone care team 24/7 via:
- Phone including after hours on-call provider
- The Bluestone Bridge: simple, effective communication platform that connects patients, their care teams, community staff and family 24/7.
Bluestone is contracted with most major Medicare and Medicaid plans and bills your insurance — just like a primary care clinic.
Learn more from Bluestone founder Dr. Todd Stivland
Our Partners in Care
Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities
We partner with more than 575 Assisted Living and Memory Care communities across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Florida — see all of our locations here. Interested in bringing Bluestone to your community? Let us know here.
Group Homes, Supportive Housing, and Adult Foster Care in Minnesota
We partner with more than 500 Group Homes, Supportive Housing, and Adult Foster Care communities in Minnesota to address common barriers that people living with disabilities and mental health needs face when navigating the health system through our ADAPT Program: Accountable Care | Disability Competent | Accessible | Patient-Centered | Team-Based.
ADAPT Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners specialize in the unique needs of patients who live with a developmental, intellectual, and physical disability, including cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, traumatic brain injuries, epilepsy, as well as mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.
Interested in bringing Bluestone ADAPT to your community? Contact Bluestone ADAPT Senior Program Manager Carolyn Forster at Carolyn.Forster@bluestonemd.com.
Seamless Collaboration with Home Care and Hospice Agencies
Home care and hospice agencies play a critical role in quality patient care. We foster strong partnerships with any agency providing care to our shared patients. To ensure continuity and collaborative care, we provide our home care and hospice partners with direct access to The Bridge, our secure communication platform, which allows for real-time information exchange, coordinated care planning, and a unified approach to patient support … all leading to better outcomes and patient experience.
Your Care and Hospice: Frequently Asked Questions for Bluestone Patients and Families
Navigating a serious illness can be challenging, and we are committed to supporting you and your loved ones through every stage of your healthcare journey. Below are answers to common questions if you transition to hospice care.
Bluestone collaborates with many hospice agencies, so you and your healthcare decision-makers can select the hospice provider that best meets your needs. If you reside in an Assisted Living Facility, we will work with your community’s established hospice partners whenever possible.
Q: Can I remain a Bluestone patient if I enroll in hospice?
A: Yes! We collaborate closely with hospice agencies and providers to ensure your established care plan and treatment goals are aligned, and to provide comprehensive symptom management and comfort care. When you enroll in hospice services, choose Bluestone as your attending physician or advanced practice provider (APP) on the hospice election form. We will need to receive this form directly from the hospice agency to ensure seamless coordination of your care.
Q: When do I fill out or receive the hospice election form?
A: The hospice agency will have you sign the hospice election upon your enrollment in their services. It will be one of several documents that you will fill out.
Q: What if I didn’t choose Bluestone on the hospice election form?
A: If you do not choose Bluestone as your attending provider on the hospice election form, we will discharge you from all of our services including Behavioral Health and Complex Care. The hospice agency’s medical director will be responsible for overseeing your medical care related to your hospice diagnoses.
Q: Can the hospice medical director provide the same care as Bluestone?
A: The hospice medical director’s role is to certify your terminal illness, direct your hospice care plan, prescribe medications and manage medical conditions related to your hospice diagnoses. For specific details, we encourage you to speak directly with your chosen hospice provider. Generally, patients choose to remain with their primary care provider for continuity of care and in person visits from your Bluestone provider.
Q: Will I be charged for my Bluestone visits if I am on hospice?
A: As the Bluestone attending provider, we will bill the patient’s Medicare Part B appropriately for the service provided (hospice agencies will bill Medicare Part A).
Understanding Your Choice of Attending Provider in Hospice
Federal regulations, set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), require hospice agencies to offer you or your healthcare decision-maker the opportunity to choose an attending physician or APP. This attending provider works with the hospice team to ensure your care plan aligns with your medical needs and personal goals.
You are not required to select an outside attending provider. You can choose to have all your medical care coordinated solely by the hospice agency’s Medical Director. However, CMS guidelines encourage continuity of care by promoting collaboration between the hospice team and your existing primary care provider (PCP) or other designated attending provider when you choose one. This collaboration helps ensure seamless communication, respects your established patient-provider relationships, and honors your care preferences.
Bluestone is committed to a collaborative, patient-centered approach as you transition to hospice. Our providers work closely with hospice agencies to support continuity of care, respecting your preferences while meeting all regulatory standards. This process aligns with CMS guidelines and reinforces Bluestone’s commitment to delivering compassionate, coordinated care for patients with complex, terminal conditions.
