Predicted progress of patient-centered medical homes through 2013
Oct 1, 2009 Managed Healthcare Executive
Predicted progress of patient-centered medical homes through 2013
It appears that the stars are aligning for the adoption of patient-centered medical homes as part of the effort to improve
the nation's healthcare system. Both chambers of Congress and the Obama administration have stated that the medical home concept
is critical to reform. Thirty-one states are undertaking initiatives, and there are demonstration projects by more than 50
health plans and a number of large employers.
With so many stakeholders taking a long look at so many models, Edwina Rogers, executive director of the Patient-Centered
Primary Care Collaborative, was surprised that most respondents (39.1%) predict that projects will spread only into a few
small areas.
"I would say that's on the low side with all the activity going on," says Rogers.
A survey by Johns Hopkins University indicates that patients who have a primary care physician, rather than just relying on
specialists, have 33% lower costs for their care. The same survey noted that an increase of one primary care physician in
the general population is associated with 1.44 fewer deaths per 10,000 people. Another study by Dartmouth University shows
that relying on primary care physicians has lowered Medicare spending and improved quality of care.
Although many note medical homes can increase utilization, Rogers believes the evidence coming out of real-world applications
supports the model's potential.
"It tackles the cost and quality issues, and it revamps the delivery system," she says. "It is a major component that is proven
to work. We don't have any negative examples."
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