Hospital and Physician Update

November – December 2020

A message from Dr. Amy McKenzie
PCMH model helps primary care practices provide care during pandemic

COVID-19 has changed our everyday lives — from how we work and play to how we get health care. How do people with chronic conditions, such as COPD or diabetes, get the regular care they need to manage their conditions during the pandemic?

Fortunately, our Patient-Centered Medical Home designation program provides a framework that many primary care practices are using to maintain patient outreach and care during the pandemic.

As you read in the Sept. 15 special edition of Hospital and Physician Update, 4,644 primary care physicians in nearly 1,700 practices across Michigan earned a Blue Cross PCMH designation this year. The practices represent 80 of Michigan’s 83 counties and provide care for nearly 3 million Blue Cross members.

PCMH practices offer their patients a care team tailored to their condition. For example, a patient with diabetes may have a dietitian, pharmacist and nurse care manager on their care team, in addition to their primary care physician.

Supporting at-risk members
During the pandemic, it’s been important to engage and support our most at-risk members so that their conditions don’t advance to a point where they need emergency room or inpatient care. Our PCMH model has enabled us to do that.

The care team that’s put in place by our PCMH practices, combined with care coordination processes, electronic medical records and digital alert systems, helps practices maintain patient outreach and communication — even when team members are working remotely.

A two-year designation
Our PCMH program, which began in 2008, is so firmly embedded in Michigan’s health care system that Blue Cross recently decided that annual reviews of PCMH practices are no longer necessary. This year, for the first time, PCMH practices have earned a two-year designation.

Congratulations, PCMH practices, for the great work you continue to do.

Dr. Amy McKenzie is the medical director of Provider Engagement for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network.

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