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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| SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Copyright©2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved |