The Pennsylvania House, this week, unanimously sent to the Senate a measure to improve patient care and reduce health care costs through the development of a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Advisory Council for the state’s Medicaid program, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).
House Bill 1655 promotes the PCMH model that allows a primary care physician or nurse practitioner to act as the primary contact for medical care. This model is especially effective for those with chronic diseases that require one or more specialists. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists and others would communicate to ensure the patient is receiving coordinated care, which includes making sure the patient does not undergo duplicative testing, receive important routine exams, and is alerted when immunizations are needed.
Twenty-six other states have launched PCMH initiatives within their Medicaid programs on a state or regional level. Private insurers also are already using PCMH models.