The PCMH's potential to increase cancer screening has received limited attention, but evidence demonstrates that what happens in the primary care setting has a significant impact on cancer outcomes, according to an article in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. It discusses the capacities a PCMH needs to integrate cancer screening: improved patient access and communication, health risk assessments, periodic preventive health exams, use of registries, ability to track and follow up on tests and referrals, feedback on performance, and reimbursement models that reward cancer screening. (CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians)
CMS bundled payment programs favor EHR users
CMS' recently unveiled Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative will give preference to applicants who are meaningful users of health information technology or have at least 50 percent of providers meeting Meaningful Use standards. It's not surprising, Fierce EMR reports, but "it may be a rude awakening for providers who have partnered with other providers to participate in the Bundled Payments Initiative, only to find that the partnership's lack of sufficient HIT makes their application less likely to make the cut." (FierceEMR)
CMS issues final rule on e-prescribing CMS has issued a changed final rule for Medicare's Electronic Prescribing Incentive program. As expected, CMS finalized a proposal to better align the eRx Incentive program with Meaningful Use, Health Data Management reports. Under the final rule, EHRs that have received MU certification are deemed qualified for the eRx Incentive program. The rule also includes ways for providers to get a hardship exemption to avoid penalties for non-participation. (Health Data Management) |
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Providers & Suppliers
Nonfinancial barriers keep patients from the care they need
Financial considerations are not the only barriers to health care access. A study in Health Services Research found that, while financial concerns prevent nearly 19 percent of Americans from getting needed health care, 21 percent delay health care for nonfinancial reasons; the most common were getting to the doctor during office hours, getting a timely appointment and the travel time involved. There was considerable overlap: Two-thirds of those who had trouble affording care also reported experiencing nonfinancial barriers. (Health Behavior News Service; Health Services Research -- subscription required)
Profile shows that HIT leaders are made, not born A profile in Health Data Management of Dr. John Blair, president of Taconic IPA, reveals that embracing health IT doesn't just happen. Today, he may seem to be the "quintessential 'I.T. doc,'" writing and speaking frequently on the issue. But he didn't "fall for computers and then start exploring their medical applications." Rather, TIPA's quality improvement effort drove him to craft a crash course for himself. Only then did he become a convert. "I realized that if we were really going to do population health initiatives, we had to get our docs off paper." (Health Data Management)
Colorado Springs practice creating a senior-focused medical home AgeWell Medical Associates, a Colorado Springs medical practice that primarily serves Medicare patients, is about to break ground on an office that will quadruple its space and enable it to expand primary care services to a population that is increasingly being turned away by primary care doctors who refuse to accept new Medicare patients, Colorado Springs Gazette reports. AgeWell plans to become a patient centered medical home, and will include room for practitioners to offer programs on health issues that affect seniors. (Colorado Springs Gazette) |
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Transformation in Practice
EHRs enhance diabetes care
Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine involving more than 27,000 adults with diabetes found those in physician practices using EHRs were significantly more likely to have health care and outcomes that align with accepted standards than those where doctors rely on paper records. Improvements in care and outcomes over a three-year period also proved greater among patients in EHR practices. The study's findings remained consistent for patients regardless of insurance type, including the uninsured.(NEJM; Healthcare IT News)
Cleveland sees results from medical homes
Patient centered medical homes in Cleveland may be providing a solution to the area's shortage of primary care physicians, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Results from both the Cleveland Clinic's suburban practices as well as MetroHealth System's more urban health centers are showing positive results--patients are getting healthier. Ohio Health Director Ted Wymyslo, a family practice physician himself, hopes to have 44 primary care practices across the state implement the medical home model. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
AAFP: Family physicians driving PCMH success Family physicians have helped thrust the PCMH to the forefront of health care reform, AAFP News Now reports. Among them is Scott Hammond, MD. His practice, Westminster Medical Clinic of Westminster, Colo., is one of 16 PCMH practices involved in a project funded by the state's largest private insurance providers. Since beginning the pilot, Hammond's practice has reported quality improvement gains in diabetes and cardiovascular care measures. The practice is also more viable and staff members are happier. (AAFP News Now)
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The Expanding PCMH: News and Updates
Cabbarus Family Medicine-Concord (N.C.) is one of 49 Carolina Healthcare system practices to achieve NCQA medical home status. (Concord Independent Tribune)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has designated 16 St. MAry's of Michigan primary care physicians as patient centered medical home practices for 2011-2012. (Midland Daily News)
Holston Medical Group is Tennessee's first multi-specialty practice to receive Level 3 recognition from NCQA for its PPC-PCMH program. (TriCities.com)
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This Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making video tells the story of four patients who took action to become active participants in their medical decisions: Howard, who decided not to have bypass surgery for coronary heart disease; Loretta, who made a decision about how her diabetes would be managed; Phil, who decided not to have repeat surgery for a back condition; and Kathy, who chose mastectomy over lumpectomy for early stage breast cancer. (The Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making video)
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MarketVoices...quotes worth reading
"It is our mission to be the glue and connect all of the dots of the health care world and to help patients get the right care, at the right time, at the right place."--Scott Hammond, MD, the Westminster Medical Clinic, of Westminster, Colo., quoted in AAFP News Now
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PCPCC Update
Link to current events, reports and news from the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC)
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