IntellectAbility: Changing the Narrative for At-Risk Populations

How Technology Will Drive the $50 Billion Rural Health Transformation

A new federal program aims to modernize rural healthcare, with technology managers and digital tools playing a central role in its success.

By Alyx Arnett

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion investment designed to overhaul care delivery in underserved communities across the United States. The five-year initiative invites states to apply for funding to address systemic challenges, including limited resources, staffing shortages, and aging infrastructure, by developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions.

The program aims to empower states to build resilient systems that improve access and outcomes. “This program is a historic investment that will catalyze needed change in rural health systems and improve lives for generations to come,” said CMS Administrator Dr Mehmet Oz in the official announcement. “For too long, when it comes to health care access and infrastructure, we’ve left behind the backbone of America. That stops now with this program that will spark real change for rural health care.”

While the funding addresses a need, its success will depend on strategic implementation, particularly through the effective deployment of technology and the development of a workforce capable of leveraging it, according to Craig Escudé, MD, FAAFP, FAADM, FAAIDD, a family physician with over two decades of experience in rural and specialized healthcare. Escudé says the program’s potential lies in its ability to support technology-enabled solutions, targeted workforce training, and collaboration between clinical and technical teams.

Closing Care Gaps with Digital Tools

For rural providers, distance and resource limitations are persistent barriers to care. The Rural Health Transformation Program’s emphasis on technology funding is designed to address these issues. Escudé, a board-certified Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Developmental Medicine, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and president of IntellectAbility, believes that tools such as telehealth platforms, remote patient monitoring systems, and integrated electronic health records are essential for proactive care management. These technologies, he explains, can “help providers detect emerging issues early and manage chronic conditions more effectively.”

This is especially important for vulnerable populations, such as individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who often require specialized care that is scarce in rural areas, says Escudé, noting that digital health assessments and decision-support tools, such as the Health Risk Screening Tool, can help clinicians “identify subtle signs of illness that might otherwise be missed.”

By investing in data-sharing systems and population health analytics, he adds, communities can track health trends and develop targeted preventive programs, making high-quality care more accessible.

Building a Tech-Savvy Workforce

New technology is only effective if the workforce is prepared to use it. Acknowledging this, the Rural Health Transformation Program supports workforce development, a component Escudé sees as key for building long-term capacity. He argues that rural providers require both clinical and technical expertise to deliver coordinated, high-quality care. This necessitates a focus on practical, accessible training.

“The most critical workforce development efforts include cross-training clinicians in the use of digital health tools, telemedicine platforms, and electronic health records to enhance communication and efficiency,” Escudé says.

He also highlights the need for education in population health management and data interpretation, suggesting that online courses, such as the Curriculum in IDD Healthcare, and virtual mentoring can make advanced training feasible even in remote regions. This strategy ensures that clinicians are not only equipped with modern tools but also possess the skills to turn data into actionable clinical insights, he says.

Collaboration as the Cornerstone

Ultimately, translating financial investment into tangible health improvements will require collaboration among clinicians, technology managers, and community health leaders. Escudé emphasizes that this partnership is essential for aligning technology implementation with the practical needs of providers and patients.

“When these groups collaborate, they can ensure that tools such as telehealth platforms, data systems, and remote monitoring devices are practical and effectively utilized,” he says.

In this model, clinicians guide the design of technology around patient care workflows, while technology managers ensure that systems are reliable, secure, and user-friendly. This teamwork fosters a more integrated, person-centered system that builds trust and improves continuity of care, he says. The true success of the Rural Health Transformation Program, Escudé believes, will be measured not just in dollars spent but also in outcomes achieved, including “the effective use of telehealth and data systems” to build a resilient and equitable rural health system.

This article originally appeared on 24×7 at: How Technology Will Drive the $50 Billion Rural Health Transformation | 24×7 | Leading Resource for Healthcare Technology Management Professionals

IntellectAbility Driving Meaningful Change in Care for At-Risk Population

IntellectAbility is advancing proactive healthcare in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) field through its powerful Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST®). The HIPAA-compliant, web-based instrument enables service providers and caregivers to identify early signs of health destabilization in at-risk populations, facilitating timely intervention and improved outcomes.

“No other tool combines the HRST’s reliability, clinical validation, and ability to revolutionize health risk detection and care planning,” says Dr. Craig Escudé, president.

HRST is the only third-party validated screening solution designed specifically for people with IDD. Backed by decades of field experience and trusted expertise, it has supported the proactive care of more than 130,000 people across 26 states in the U.S.

For people with IDD, the tool drives swift, life-saving interventions that avert unnecesary suffering, hospitalizations, and even fatalities. Supporters and caregivers can anticipate needs, rather than reacting to crises, and implement preventative measures to enhance quality of life. Healthcare facilities and health plans benefit from fewer emergency visits and reduced strain on resources, which improves efficiency and lowers overall healthcare costs.

The origin of the HRST dates back to the early 1990s, when Karen Green McGowan, a nurse at Glenwood State Hospital School, confronted the neglect, overcrowding, and high mortality faced by people with IDD. She dedicated herself to providing supporters and caregivers with the knowledge and tools to recognize and address overlooked health risks. While consulting on the safe transition of 240 individuals from institutions to community settings, she was asked to develop a method to determine who required specialized care. This work led to the creation of the HRST.

The tool utilizes a structured questionnaire with straightforward yes-or-no answers to assess 22 potential areas of concern. They cover issues such as swallowing and choking, aspiration, seizures, medication side effects, adverse behaviors, and mobility challenges to capture a comprehensive picture of an individual’s health risks.

After the screening is completed, the HRST analyzes the responses to pinpoint the most urgent risks for that person. It then produces a person-specific action plan that recommends next steps such as follow-up medical care, specialized services, or focused training for caregivers.

The screening can be completed quickly by any supporter, including family members and non-clinical staff, without extensive medical training.

Real-world results illustrate its impact. One individual struggled with severe behavioral issues that prompted plans for psychiatric hospitalization. IntellectAbility’s HRST pinpointed undiagnosed dental pain as the likely cause. After a dental exam revealed multiple abscesses and treatment was provided, the behaviors disappeared, avoiding unnecessary medication and a costly hospital stay.

In another case, a person endured recurring bowel obstructions from severe constipation, a dangerous and painful condition. The HRST directed supporters to preventive steps, including targeted dietary changes, improved posture, and vigilant monitoring. The proactive guidance replaced crisis treatment with consistent care, sharply reducing emergencies and restoring comfort and health.

IntellectAbility complements the tool, serving as an official provider of NADSP-accredited education for direct support professionals and frontline supervisors. E-learning courses and person-centered thinking training for agencies, support staff, and physicians help them recognize early health risks and apply practical, individualized care and support strategies.

Serving a growing community nationwide, IntellectAbility empowers supporters to proactively safeguard the health and well-being of people with IDD—and other at-risk populations, including those who are aging—setting a new standard for person-centered support.

This article originally appeared on Healthcare Tech Outlook at https://www.healthcaretechoutlook.com/intellectability.

Battling New Medicaid Cuts and Rising Healthcare Costs: Early Identification of Health Destabilization is Key

Improvements in education and health-tracking software promise to reduce healthcare costs in the face of budget cuts.

CLEARWATER, FL, UNITED STATES, August 18, 2025 — With the recent approval of nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts over the next 10 years, healthcare providers nationwide are seeking new ways to optimize patient health in the wake of dwindling budgets. New developments in health education and technology are helping to decrease healthcare costs while improving the health of patients with disabilities.

Among those who stand to be most affected by Medicaid cuts are people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). People with IDD rely heavily on Medicaid to cover home and community-based services (HCBS). HCBS Medicaid waivers provide a range of services and supports to enable people with IDD to live more independent lives. Some examples include personal care assistance, help with household chores and meal preparation, modifications to homes for accessibility, and transportation.

About 4.5 million people receive Medicaid-covered home services annually. While these programs are important for the overall health and well-being of people with IDD, the role that HCBS providers play in keeping down healthcare costs is often overlooked. HCBS support staff, like direct support professionals (DSPs) and case managers, are the first line of defense against health destabilization. As health conditions worsen, the high cost of ER visits and emergency medical procedures puts an increased burden on shrinking Medicaid funds.

Misdiagnoses can result in inaccurate treatments, causing more harm than good. Diagnostic overshadowing, or the attribution of symptoms to an existing diagnosis rather than a potential treatable, underlying condition, has also led to increased health risks and costs for people with IDD. Additionally, misconceptions about the quality of life of people with IDD combined with a lack of education in the specialized care of these individuals often lead to misdiagnosis and, in turn, improper treatment plans.

“Most health professionals are not adequately trained to address the unique healthcare needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Comprehensive training is essential to recognize when behaviors may signal underlying, treatable medical conditions; to understand the most common and preventable causes of illness and death; and to avoid the serious complications that can result from overprescribing unnecessary behavioral medications,” says Dr. Craig Escudé, physician specializing in IDD and President of IntellectAbility. “Educating healthcare providers promotes more targeted interventions that can lead to more cost-effective healthcare.”

IntellectAbility provides tools and training to aid managed care organizations (MCOs), healthcare workers, direct support professionals, and case managers in recognizing the unique presentations of common medical conditions that can lead to death, including aspiration, constipation, bowel obstruction, seizures, dehydration, and sepsis. Early detection of these conditions is key to reducing healthcare costs and enrollment in Medicaid-funded programs.

Some common warning signs of health issues destabilization include:

* A change in baseline behavior is often an early indicator of an underlying medical issue.

* Agitation around mealtimes may signal nausea, potentially as a side effect of medication.

* Heartburn or reflux can manifest as aggressive behavior before, during, or after meals.

* Symptoms of anxiety may actually reflect chest pain or low blood glucose levels.

* Withdrawal and decreased appetite could be signs of constipation.

“Technology such as the Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST) plays a vital role in improving the early detection of health destabilization in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” states Dr. Escudé. “By systematically identifying risk factors and subtle changes in health status, tools like the HRST empower caregivers and clinicians to intervene earlier, often preventing more serious and costly medical complications down the line. This proactive approach not only improves health outcomes and quality of life, but also significantly reduces avoidable hospitalizations and healthcare costs.”

Additional information about how states and HCBS providers can optimize healthcare expenditures can be obtained by downloading IntellectAbility’s new white paper on the subject: “Optimizing HCBS & Healthcare Spending for People with IDD During Medicaid Cuts”.