This morning, we had the amazing opportunity to be part of a “breakout session” with Providence Medical Group, to discuss “Medical Home ROI in the Workplace.” Below is an article  that was sent out earlier today via the Colombian Business Today E-Newsletter.

Participants in the main forum included, PeaceHealth and Southwest Washington Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, and Legacy Health Systems.

New health care model presented as way for businesses to save money

A new model of personalized health care being adopted by some of Clark County’s largest medical providers could help local businesses save money on employee health plans, according to a panel of physicians that presented at a Community Choices health forum in Vancouver today. PeaceHealth and Southwest Washington Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health Systems and Providence Medical Group are all experimenting with a “patient-centered” model in which all a patient’s needs are met in one place, also known as their “medical home.”

The model is essentially high-functioning primary care, focused on prevention and easy access to providers, such as same-day appointments and secure email.  Patients end up having more contact with their “medical home,” but fewer costly procedures over the long run, according to the panel. Cost savings also come from a team-based approach, in which nurses and medical assistants perform routine exams and basic procedures and doctors take on more complicated and specialized tasks.

“It will be a better investment of health care dollars, and in the private sector that money comes from businesses,” said Dr. Joe Siemienczuk, chief executive of Providence Medical Group in Portland. “It can also provide a healthy workforce that’s more productive, mitigating time loss.” Source: The Columbian,  (www.columbian.com) 6/21/2001