GHI and HIP Launch Pilot Medical Home Network Project with Support from Commonw...( Program is first of its kind in New ...),Health

Program is first of its kind in New York. Expected results include higher

quality care, increased efficiency, and better patient outcomes

NEW YORK, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and Health Plan of New York (HIP) will launch a Medical Home High Value Network project, the first of its kind in New York, that will provide adult primary care physician practices in New York with the opportunity to become Medical Home Practices. GHI and HIP see this as a critical element in the future to providing health care services to people in New York. The Program evaluation is supported by a grant from the Commonwealth Fund.

The American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians have proposed that all primary care physician practices transform themselves into Medical Homes. The Medical Home concept employs a team approach to patient care led by a personal, primary care physician, offering much higher levels of performance in terms of patient experience, quality of care, and efficiency of resources when compared to traditional practices.

The Medical Home healthcare team provides direct services and coordinates services among other physicians and licensed health care providers for each patient. Patients have access to enhanced appointment systems, telephone and email communication, clinical decision support tools that guide evidence-based practice, the use of health information technology, and support for patient involvement in informed decision making and self-care.

To assess the effectiveness of the program, participants will be divided into a supported group and a comparison group, each comprised of 25 adult primary care physician practices. The total number of participants in the supported group is expected to include approximately 100 physicians and 20,000 patients.

The supported group will be paid using revised payment methodology and will receive technical support for office redesig
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