December 12, 2025
From memory care to home: Yari’s caregiving journey
When Yari Martinez-Giannillo’s mother was diagnosed with progressing dementia, her family made the difficult decision to move her into a memory care unit in Atlanta. But Yari never stopped hoping to bring her mother home—back to family, familiarity and comfort in upstate New York.
That hope became reality when Yari enrolled her mother in WellBe Senior Medical, a geriatric care provider that partners with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield to support members with complex health needs. With this support, Yari’s mother could safely return home, living with family members and supported by a care team that truly understands her needs.
“Keeping her in a routine, where she is comfortable in her own surroundings, is critical for her and anyone who has dementia,” Yari explains.
A partnership that brings relief
Through their partnership with WellBe Senior Medical, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is providing relief to their most at-risk members and their caregivers. In the program’s first 16 months, WellBe helped almost 5,000 Excellus BCBS Medicare Advantage members receive in-home care, help managing prescriptions, and access to urgent care services 24/7.
The Health Plan has seen the following results among members:
- 10% reduction in emergency room visits
- 20% decrease in urgent care visits
- 65% increase in primary care provider visits
- 107% increase in preventive screenings such as colonoscopies and mammograms
“As a local, nonprofit health plan, it’s critical that we help our most vulnerable members access the care they need in the most affordable way possible,” said Ankit Garg, MD, VP Medical Affairs at Excellus BCBS. “Early results from WellBe show that this program is delivering on that promise.”
A team that treats the whole person
The WellBe team includes medical providers, social workers, geriatric behavioral health specialists, pharmacists and a mobile urgent care.
“We not only work with patients, but family members, the member’s regular doctors, anyone we can to bridge the gaps and make health care easier,” explains Anna Bergeman, a WellBe Senior Medical physician assistant. “We do a detailed history, physical exam, and screenings including those for anxiety, depression and dementia. You can identify so much by being in the patient’s home. You can see how they walk and identify fall risks.”
Urgent care without the ER
To help reduce frequent hospital admissions or visits to the emergency department, WellBe offers in-home urgent care services.
One evening when Yari’s mom started showing signs of an infection, they called WellBe.
“They connected with her provider, and we had medication for her by the next morning,” says Yari. Quick care like this not only improves patient outcomes but provides support for caregivers. “It doesn’t feel like we are alone,” adds Yari.
Removing barriers to access
Managing multiple conditions and navigating an ever-changing healthcare system can often lead to issues accessing care, especially for members with limited mobility. Bringing care directly to the homes of these members can be life changing.
“If we didn’t have WellBe, my mom would most likely still be in a memory care unit because trying to balance everything was beyond difficult,” says Yari. “She has always been the center of all of us so being able to have her back at home being taken care of, monitored very closely, means the world to us.”
Hear more of Yari’s story in this video.
WellBe Senior Medical is available to members enrolled in Excellus BCBS Medicare Advantage plans who meet eligibility criteria. Benefits and coverage can vary. Members can contact Customer Care for questions about eligibility.
About WellBe Senior Medical – WellBe Senior Medical is an independent home-based medical group. WellBe specializes in delivering comprehensive, home-based medical care to patients who are facing multiple complex health challenges. WellBe’ provides personalized care and works together with patients, their caregivers, and other network physicians to nurture all aspects of health.
* WellBe Senior Medical is an independent company providing home based medical care to Excellus BCBS members.
Contact:
Michelle Kraft
Michelle.Kraft@excellus.com
