Blues Companies Explore New Approach to Patient Care

Chicago — The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), Chicago, and participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies joined with four U.S. physician groups, national employers and national consumer groups to examine a patient care model that places the patient and primary care practice at the center of care.

Known as the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), the initiative is supported by the Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC), an alliance of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American Osteopathic Association, leading health benefits companies, national consumer groups and employers.

In conjunction with the PCPCC, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have committed to work toward the development and implementation of a series of medical home pilot demonstrations. Sponsored by PCPCC and its participating stakeholders, these pilots will explore effective means of provider reimbursement, integrate quality improvement, care management and patient educational tools into primary care practices. Patients will be engaged to understand the benefits of receiving care under the medical home model and will have the option of selecting to receive care through a PCMH demonstration. These pilot programs should enable participating BCBS companies, participating primary care medical societies and physicians to learn more about the most effective design of the PCMH.

Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

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