PCMH – Transforming the Health Care Delivery System
Posted on May 17, 2012
What is a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH)?
Simply stated, PCMH is a transformative care delivery model that empowers patients to take an active role in their health and wellness, and allows providers to tailor a care plan to a patient’s unique needs across all levels of the care continuum – from preventive care to management of acute and chronic illness.
How is HNE involved?
HNE is committed to providing the best care at an affordable price. The PCMH model has proven successful at increasing the quality of care while decreasing overall costs, and therefore supports our commitment. Currently, we are working collaboratively with providers in our network to establish PCMHs in our community. Our efforts involve 16 practices with a mix of Baystate Medical practices and private practices in the Springfield area such as Riverbend Medical Group and Springfield Medical Associates. In fact, Western Massachusetts is leading the state in this initiative with more NCQA certified PCMHs than anywhere else in Massachusetts. Besides access to care and patient satisfaction, HNE is confident that the PCMH will help practices think of new solutions for effective and efficient care. This will involve more mid-level providers, care coordinators, and a team approach to providing care.
What are the benefits of a PCMH for the patient?
The PCMH will transform the overall patient experience through:
- Improved access to the provider’s office
- Reduced emergency room visits for minor ailments
- Increased follow-up care resulting in fewer complications from chronic conditions
- Increased support in navigating the health care system
- More focused time with the doctor to manage complex issues
- Improved access to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses for less complicated care
What are HNE’s goals for the PCMH activity?
- Improved access to care
- Reduced hospital re-admissions
- Reduced Emergency Department (ED) utilization
- Improved follow-up visits after an admission or ED visit
- Improved patient satisfaction
- Improved provider satisfaction
- Improved quality/HEDIS measures, including specific diabetic and CAD measures
- Reduced overall cost of care
PCMH – Aligning Providers Towards an ACO
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