More Information on Patient-Centered Medical Homes
What if medical providers were paid to keep people healthy? We believe that simple concept could transform health care in Montana. That's the idea behind Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH).
The Office of the Commissioner of Securities & Insurance, Montana State Auditor, is leading an effort to change the way that health care is delivered in Montana by facilitating the Montana Patient-Centered Medical Home Advisory Council. The advisory council includes insurance company representatives, medical providers, and consumer advocates working together to lay the groundwork for patient-centered medical homes in Montana.
Click here for more details on the Montana PCMH Initiative
Montana's Definition for Patient-Centered Medical Home
In Montana, a patient-centered medical home is health care directed by primary care providers offering family centered, culturally effective care that is coordinated, comprehensive, continuous, and, when possible, in the patient's community and integrated across systems. Health care is characterized by enhanced access, an emphasis on prevention, and improved health outcomes and satisfaction. Primary care providers receive payment that recognizes the value of medical home services.
Standard for Recognition
Montana will use standards accepted by NCQA PCMH to recognize a primary care clinic as eligible for the pilot project as a medical home and potentially to receive enhanced reimbursement. Pilot sites will commit to moving along the NCQA tiered recognition process. Those recognized as Level 1 under NCQA PCMH 2008 standards must reach 2008 Level 2 or higher or 2011 Level 1 or higher by January 1, 2013. Details on NCQA PCMH Recognition can be found here.
A Health Care Community
A medical home is not so much a place, as a community of health care professionals, lead by your primary care provider, focused on helping you become as healthy as you can be. Currently, providers are generally paid to treat illness and injury, providing incentives for excessive treatment, tests, and medication, leading to greater cost throughout the system. Though the use of technology and custom designed services, patient-centered medical homes help manage health conditions and prevent illness. The Advisory Council is working on performance measures, benchmarks, payment models, and legislative recommendations.
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