DETROIT— Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Patient-Centered Medical Home designation program has influenced a transformation of care statewide as 1,422 physician practices, comprising 4,022 primary care doctors, have been designated as patient-centered medical homes for the 2014 program year.
These practices care for more than 1.2 million members in across Michigan. The program continues to lead the nation in size and cost savings.
“In a patient-centered medical home, patients have a team of professionals who track and guide their care, focusing on keeping them healthy and managing illness,” said David Share, senior vice president. “PCMH patients are being admitted to the hospital or going to the ER less than patients at non-PCMH practices, which leads to lower costs because there is less need for testing and hospital care.”
In 2013, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan had certified savings of $155 million in prevented ER and hospital claims from the first three years of the PCMH designation program. Savings estimates for year four are expected later this year.
