Kearney clinic tests out patient-centered pilot program
by
Amy West
Story Created:
Feb 28, 2011 at 10:53 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 28, 2011 at 10:53 PM CDT
With cut-back in federal aid to Medicaid, patient-centered practices is a way some states hope to increase access to health care and cut costs. And in Nebraska the Kearney Clinic and the Plum Creek Medical Group in Lexington will participate in a state funded, two year pilot program testing the approach.
For the next two years the Kearney Clinic will be part of the patient-centered pilot program in rural Nebraska that will hopefully cut costs and improve care.
The Patient Centered Medical Home concept is a new model to try and get patients more involved in their own health care. Patient providers the specialists will all work together for the best interest of the patient.
State wide there's an estimated 3.6 million dollars a year spent on ER visits that are not emergencies.
And as federal and state aid to Medicaid gets slashed, Dr. Terry Becker said it's a big concern.
"A lot of ER trips that maybe aren't necessary, a lot of urgent care trips that may not be necessary. So really try to have one provider for that patient that they can talk to and communicate with about their individual health concerns and be able to trouble shoot things before it comes to an ER visit and try to stay on top of their condition before they end up in the hospital setting," said Dr. Becker.
It will also mean a lot more doctor patient interaction, health education, and patient accountability.
"Get them more involved in exercise, eating right and following recommendations - just really taking care of themselves," said Peggy Dobish.
The project is possible through a 2009 bill passed by the state legislature. And if all goes well big Medicaid cuts won't have quite as large an impact.
"We want to have the best outcomes for individual patients that we can as well as groups of patients and if we can do that at a lower cost that's even better," Dr. Becker said.
The clinic is working with the Kansas City based TransforMED to transform it into a patient centered clinic.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services will also offer financial incentives to the clinic for Medicaid patients.
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