Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's patient-centered medical home program, the largest PCMH program in the nation, saved about $155 million from July 2008 through June 2011, according to an analysis published recently in the Health Services Research Journal.
Additionally, BCBS of Michigan estimates the program may have saved an extra $155 million in its fourth year alone, according to the news release.
The analysis also shows that implementing the PCMH model leads to improved quality and preventive care.
"The program not only strengthens the doctor-patient relationship, it strengthens our overall system of care. Through the patient-centered medical home model, doctors and their care teams are improving patient outcomes, which translates to fewer hospital admissions and emergency room visits, which leads to lower overall cost," David Share, MD, senior vice present of value partnerships for BCBSM, said in the release.
About 1 million BCBSM members and 2 million Michigan residents are cared for under the PCMH program.
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