In healthcare, the time between clinic visits is often as crucial as the appointments themselves. For many patients, especially those struggling with chronic conditions, the care and support they receive after leaving the clinic can influence how they manage their health. To address this challenge, Rachael Rivero established Kansas Care Connect (KCC), a care coordination business in 2023.
Rachael's journey began when she recognized opportunities to better support patients. "People often shared their concerns and frustrations with me," she says. "Their doctors are great, but there was no one connecting all the dots."
Reports indicate that elderly individuals in the United States are disproportionately affected by chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Approximately 93% of older adults have at least one chronic condition, and 78% are reported to have multiple. Both chronic care management (CCM) and remote patient monitoring (RPM) programs have been shown to reduce hospitalizations and readmissions, while improving overall health outcomes for these patients.
At first, she looked for solutions that already existed. "I never intended to start a business," she says. "I was busy with my 4 kids and a full-time job. I just wanted to find something to help my patients."
She built KCC as a way to bridge the gap between clinical visits through regular check-ins and ongoing coordination. The company provides CCM and RPM for individuals who struggle with complex and chronic medical conditions. Through these Medicare programs, Rachael and her team of nurse practitioners and nurses create personalized care plans that go beyond standard follow-up calls.
KCC's remote patient monitoring program allows patients to track their blood pressure, glucose levels, weight, and other vital signs from home, with readings sent directly to the care team in real time.The KCC team reviews patient data on a daily basis and contacts patients when abnormalities are detected, before they become a crisis.
Rachael's commitment to bridging care extends beyond Medicare. Kansas Care Connect also runs a Medicaid program designed to serve vulnerable populations who are often overlooked or underserved. With the help of certified peer specialists, the company provides psychosocial support, connecting patients with resources like transportation, medication assistance, and even help with daily needs such as groceries.
Beyond patient care, Rachael's vision for the future is ambitious. She plans to grow KCC into a larger brand, ChronicWELL, with expanded services and patient-focused products, designed to empower individuals to take control of their health journeys. She's also developing senior fitness programs to promote active, confident aging. "We're always looking for the next gap we can close," she said. "If no one else is doing it, we'll figure out how to achieve it."
Rachael Rivero built Kansas Care Connect to solve a problem she witnessed every day. But in doing so, she created something bigger: a movement toward care that doesn't end when the appointment does. "At the end of the day," she said, "we just want to make sure nobody gets lost in the system again."
