Miami, FL, Mar. 22nd, 2023 – Nestor Plana, Chairman and CEO of Independent Living Systems (ILS), recently shared his insights on the challenges facing the healthcare industry, the appeal of South Florida, and the growing role of telemedicine in an exclusive interview with Invest: Miami.

In the interview, Mr. Plana delves into ILS's approach to helping individuals age in place and the pivotal role of telemedicine in the future of healthcare.

Addressing the question of what considerations ILS considers when assisting people in aging in place, Mr. Plana emphasized the importance of "processes, people, and

technology." Over the past two decades, ILS has developed specialized technology through its technology platform and employs dedicated care managers to provide personalized care management and coordination for their members. Every ILS health plan participant is assigned a care manager, ensuring intensive and personalized care coordination, covering both medical and social services.

Furthermore, Mr. Plana emphasized ILS's unique ability to provide home and community-based services due to their contract with the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration.

This allows their members to "age in place," surrounded by their loved ones, with services such as home-delivered meals, adult day care, and personal care. They even offer in-home healthcare services, including bathing and patient care. If a member resides in an assisted living facility, ILS collaborates with these facilities to provide services, enabling seniors to

continue aging in place.

Regarding the industry's state, Mr. Plana addressed the challenges posed by Florida's rapid population growth and the issues it places on additional demands on healthcare services,

leading to growing waiting lists for Medicaid-funded long-term care services. He noted the critical need for home and community-based services as a solution. He also commended Governor DeSantis's efforts to increase the minimum wage to help with the labor shortage.

The pandemic has further exacerbated the labor shortage, with many care professionals seeking opportunities in other industries.

Finally, Nestor Plana discussed the increasing importance of telemedicine in the healthcare

landscape. He highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of

telemedicine by a decade or more. Mr. Plana emphasized that while technology is

evolving, patient care remains central, and data-gathering systems in the home can help manage patients more effectively and improve overall healthcare delivery.

Independent Living Systems continues to lead the way in providing innovative solutions for aging in place and improving healthcare services. For more information about Independent

Living Systems and Nestor Plana's interview with Invest: Miami, please visit ilshealth.com.

Invest: Miami is run by Capital Analytics, an integrated media platform that produces in-depth business intelligence through its annual print and digital economic reviews, high-impact conferences and events and top-level interviews via its video and podcast

platforms,

For more information about Independent Living Systems and its services, please visit ilshealth.com.

About Independent Living Systems: 

Independent Living Systems (ILS) is a Florida-based company providing a comprehensive range of turnkey payer services to managed care organizations and health care providers that provide care and social services to complex populations in the Medicare, Medicaid, and Dual-Eligible markets. The company also owns and operates Florida Community Care, Florida’s only statewide Medicaid long-term care provider service network, as well as Florida Complete Care, a Medicare Advantage special needs plan for people who live in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or live at home and have complex health issues that require more coordinated and comprehensive care.