Debbie Reinheimer
Articles
A More Connected, Personalized Care Experience: Patient‑Centered Medical Home Evolves to Advanced Primary Care
- Blue Cross’ primary care designation program reaches 2.9 million members through 1,579 PCMH practices and more than 6,800 providers statewide.
- Designated practices show 40% fewer adult inpatient stays, 29% fewer ER visits and 33.6% fewer hospital readmissions.
- Preventive care rates are substantially higher, including 173% higher childhood immunizations, 53% higher colorectal screenings and 68% better blood pressure control.
Healthcare 360: Connecting Your Care In and Out of the Doctor's Office
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s PCMH program connects patients with coordinated, personalized care teams to improve outcomes and affordability.
- Advanced primary care helps patients access medical, behavioral and social services while reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
- Team-based care managers provide personalized coaching and community connections that help patients build healthier, sustainable habits and manage chronic conditions.
Mental Health When and Where You Need It: Collaborative Care Makes A Difference
- Michigan’s Collaborative Care model integrates behavioral health specialists into primary care and OBGYN offices, letting patients receive mental health treatment without navigating a separate system.
- In the Genesys PHO organization, participants see rapid improvements: 61% report reduced depression or anxiety, and more than half cut symptoms by at least 50%, while the program has saved roughly $1.46 million by cutting emergency visits and hospitalizations.
- The model offers flexible access patients can meet care managers in person, by video or phone helping those with severe depression and anxiety achieve remission in as little as six to eight months.
Reducing Tests That Don’t Add Value to Health Care
- Preoperative testing is standard to ensure a patient’s health, but it may not be necessary in uncomplicated surgeries.
- A pilot program cut unnecessary preoperative testing in low-risk surgeries by about 40%, showing that routine labs, EKGs and imaging often add no clinical benefit.
- Reducing low value testing could save billions in health care costs, lessen patient inconvenience and streamline care without compromising surgical outcomes.
