Oakwood physicians earn PCMH designation
Oakwood Accountable Care Organization named 'benchmark performer'
DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) has designated 74 Oakwood physicians as patient-centered medical home practices. The designation period runs from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013
In addition, the Oakwood Accountable Care Organization (ACO) was recognized by BCBSM as a statewide benchmark performer, based on an analysis on Physician Group Incentive Program (PGIP) groups across the state that ranked them on cost and trend performance measures.
The PCMH designation means Oakwood physicians are improving health care quality by leading care teams that bring an intensive focus to their patients' individual health goals and needs.
"The designation has physicians addressing issues of health maintenance, wellness and prevention for people who have disease and people who do not have disease today," said Malcolm Henoch, MD, a member of the Oakwood ACO board. "It makes people attend to issues of ideal body weight, exercise, diet and nutrition—it's a shift from taking care of just illnesses in their offices and in the hospital."
"It is the wave of the future of healthcare, and the Oakwood ACO is proud to be at the forefront," said William Isenstein, executive director of the Oakwood ACO.
The patient-centered medical home is an approach in which patients take an active role in their own health care, working closely with their primary care physicians (pediatricians, internists and family practice doctors) throughout the journey across the health care system. Doctors coordinate patients' health status, manage chronic conditions, track all medications, offer extended office hours and practice ongoing health management to keep patients healthy and prevent complications. The Blues have designated 994 primary care practices — with 3,017 primary care doctors — as PCMH practices. The program is the largest of its kind in the country.
"It helps patients navigate the health care system with primary care physicians at the hub and keeping all of the specialists and facilities informed," said Sarju Shah, MD, a primary care physician who serves on the ACO board and was designated as a PCMH. "It helps us provide better care for our patients. We know what care they are receiving across the health care system."
The Patient Centered Medical Home and the Accountable Care Organization are designed to improve care while keeping costs low by reducing redundant testing and creating more efficiencies throughout the continuum of care. The program focuses on each patient's health goals and needs and coordinates care across all settings in order to benefit overall patient safety and result in better outcomes. Physicians earn additional incentives from BCBSM for meeting those goals.
SOURCE Oakwood Accountable Care Organization
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