Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Forum Examines Cutting-Edge Medical Care That Better Meets Patie...( Patient-centered 'medical homes' yi...),Health

Patient-centered 'medical homes' yield improved health care, lower costs

DETROIT, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are supporting physician group efforts to become patient-centered medical homes, a concept that is gaining national attention. As part of that effort, the companies are sponsoring a forum at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4 at the Blues' Lyon Meadows Conference Center on Grand River Avenue in New Hudson.

"We want our colleagues to hear firsthand from Michigan trailblazers who are leading the implementation of this innovative model in Michigan," said Thomas Simmer, M.D., BCBSM senior vice president and chief medical officer who will open the forum. "The patient-centered medical home is a transformational change in the way physicians practice medicine. It represents a pro-active approach to guiding patients as they take a more active role in managing their own health and medical conditions. Creating a health care team with the patient at the center involves many challenges ranging from enhanced information support at the time of service to improving communication and educational skills."

Forum presenters and their topics follow:

-- Ewa Matuszewski, executive director, Medical Network One, P.C.,

Rochester Hills, will present the business case for patient-centered

medical homes. Her presentation also features the physician

organization's chronic care travel team. The multi-member travel team

provides patients with one-on-one self-management support and telephone

check-ins to augment a patient's regular visits with the primary care

doctor. The team includes nurses, dietitians, diabetes educators,

exercise specialists and mental health professionals.

-- Mary Durfee, M.D., president, Integrated Health Associates, a physician

organization with offices in southeast Michigan cities, will discuss

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