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Groups earn bonuses for operating as patient centered medical homes

03.01.2012

The patient centered medical home has been proven to be an effective method for controlling healthcare costs and improving quality. A new program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services may help more insurance companies adopt this payment model, making it more realistic for practices to move to this type of service.

The patient centered medical home demonstration program provides financial incentives to health groups that adopt the model of care. Providers receive bonus payments on top of reimbursements for their regular medical expenses for taking extra steps to support the health and well-being of patients with complex chronic diseases.

By providing this extra attention to detail, it is believed that patients' health will improve, they will require fewer treatments and medications and healthcare costs will go down.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio recently applied to particpate in the program, according to Cincinnati.com. Officials said the model is likely to keep patients in better health, which benefits all stakeholders, including payers, doctors and patients.

"It could mean that if you call into your primary care doctor today and you're sick, you're not going to be put off until (the next day)," Barry Manilowski, the group's medical director, told the news source. "You're going to get a call back today. If you're a diabetic and you haven't been to the office in a while, you're going to get a call."

His group hopes to earn bonus payments of up to $50 per month per patient by participating in the program. The financial benefits could continue to add up, as patients may soon start leading healthier lifestyles and relying less on their doctors.

Categories: Patient-Centered Medical Homes