"Medical home" incentives proposed

"Be your patients' 'medical home," expert suggests

(June 6, 2008) Being your patients' "medical home" yields financial and health benefits, says Terry McGeeney, MD, MBA, speaking at Priority Health. The patient-centered medical home is a new approach to coordinating patient care. According to McGeeney, CEO of TransforMED, it involves:

• Practice management
• Information systems such as electronic health records, e-Lab and e-Prescriptions and practice websites with patient portals
• Access to care and information including same-day appointments and e-Visits
• Continuity of care services
• Quality and safety supported by evidence-based best practices
• Team-based care with an interdisciplinary care team and effective communications
• Point of care services for acute and chronic care as well as disease prevention and management

Priority Health looking into implications, incentives

For several months, Priority Health has been developing a program to support practices in implementing patient-centered medical home ideas and elements. The program will include grants to a limited number of provider organizations to study the impact of some of the elements listed above.

With the help of a group of primary care physician leaders from local physician groups, we are also in the process of revising payment policies to primary care physicians, particularly those that achieve certification as medical homes. 

We hope to implement new payment plans mid-year 2009. We will keep you informed as our plans solidify. 

Contact your PAE or contract administrator for details.

For more information:

Learn more about the patient-centered medical home.

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