Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan changing the role of the primary care physician through its Patient-Centered Medical Home Program
The role of the primary care physician is changing rapidly as the need to improve the quality, delivery and cost of health care continues to be an urgent priority for employers and members alike.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is leading the nation in its effort to transform the role of primary care through its patient-centered medical home program. The Blues' statewide PCMH program helps improve health care for all Michigan residents, regardless of whether they have Blues coverage.
The Blues' Patient-Centered Medical Home Program designations — approximately 2,500 physicians in roughly 770 practices across the state — have more than doubled since beginning in 2009. More than 5,500 primary care physicians across Michigan are working toward that designation by transforming the care they deliver to their patients. That's important because it means your employees have a broad range of choices when it comes to selecting a PCMH practice.
What is a patient-centered medical home?
In a patient-centered medical home, primary care physicians lead care teams that focus on patients' individual health goals and needs in an effort to keep them healthy versus only treating them when they are sick.
Your employees have the option of choosing a PCMH-designated practice, regardless of their plan type. After making the switch, employees may enjoy a variety of PCMH services they may not find at other practices, including:
- Increased access to their care team
- Expanded after-hours care options
- Coordination of specialist care
- Well-established processes for communicating abnormal test results
How do employers benefit?
Our PCMH program is reducing unnecessary use of health care services to help drive overall health care costs down. Recently released results show PCMH practices have:
- 22 percent lower rate of hospital admissions for people with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes.
- 9.9 percent lower rate of adult emergency department visits
- 7.5 percent lower rate of adult high-tech radiology usage
“By partnering with Blue Cross, many dedicated health care professionals are greatly improving access for patients, achieving better outcomes of care and more effectively managing costs,” said Thomas Simmer, M.D., BCBSM senior vice president and chief medical officer.
Finding a PCMH-designated physician
A complete list of PCMH-designated physicians is available here (PDF). More information on the program is available in the attached fact sheet (PDF).
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