September 30, 2025- Earlier this year, Ascension launched Connected Primary Care, a team-based model that blends the skills of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), integrated technology, and streamlined workflows. The goal is better access to the right care at the right time, with fewer delays and care that meets patients where they are. This makes the entire healthcare system work better.
Instead of treating telehealth as a completely distinct type of care, the health system is building it into the core of its primary care practices. For the most vulnerable — those with mobility issues, transportation barriers, or complex health needs — virtual care bridges the gap between in-person visits. It also makes it easier for patients to access same-day appointments for acute care, chronic condition check-ins, and mental health visits. For clinicians, more efficient scheduling tools and EHR integration make delivering virtual care smoother and more sustainable. It’s a true win-win.
The Connected Primary Care program in Indiana is proving that this model works:
- The program launched in February 2025 with one APRN covering two clinics, three days a week, through virtual care.
- In the program’s first four months, the APRN completed 887 virtual visits—about 35 each week. Many of these visits replaced an in-person appointment, avoiding scheduling bottlenecks for the clinic and extra travel for patients.
- Detachment from fixed overhead costs of a traditional clinic allowed Ascension to expand rapidly to a second site once initial volume goals were achieved.