Cigna and Holston Medical Group (HMG) have launched a pilot of the patient-centered medical home model, in which a primary care physician is responsible for monitoring and coordinating nearly all aspects of a patient's medical care. This is Cigna's only such pilot in the Tri-Cities and southwestern Virginia area. This pilot represents a collaborative approach between Cigna and the 150 health care professionals of Holston Medical Group to improve patient access to care, to improve continuity, coordination and quality of care, and to lower medical costs.
It encompasses:
use of electronic medical records to track medical history
case management/disease management within the practice
onsite urgent care
extended hours
education to help people navigate their health care system
better availability of appointments
pay for performance
The pilot program focuses on individuals, especially those with chronic illness or ongoing medical needs, who receive care from Holston Medical Group's primary care physicians who practice family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics.
Primary care physicians affiliated with Holston will be paid as usual for the medical services they provide and will also be rewarded through a “pay for performance” structure if they meet targets for improving quality and enhancing access to appropriate health care.
