Group Health Cooperative PCMH Program

Group Health Cooperative is an integrated health plan and health care system that has been a leader in developing the medical home. Group Health has integrated into their primary care enhanced technology that has improved patient access and information sharing across a multi-disciplinary care team, dedicated care coordination services, preventive care and screening, and chronic condition management. During their initial medical home pilot, each primary care doctor claimed responsibility for a total of 1,800 patients as opposed to 2,300. The reduction in the number of patients allowed physicians time to coordinate care, have daily “team huddles” and allow for extended 30-minute office visits per patient. The reduction in patient-to-physician ratio also created a need to invest in extra staffing. As a result the study found that the medical home was investing $16 more per patient over the following year. This meant the need for 72 percent more clinical pharmacists, 44 percent more physician assistants, 18 percent more medical assistants, 17 percent more registered nurses, and 15 percent more primary doctors. Evaluation of the model showed that costs were recouped within the year, primarily through emergency room savings.