UnitedHealth Group And Physician Groups To Launch "Medical Home" Pilot Program To Reward Primary Care Doctors Who Improve Patients' Total Health

And one more plan....who can keep track...if each insurance carrier has this in place at the average practice, as most see patients with various plans and companies...well...is this a potential accounting nightmare for the physicians? So many plans...not enough care...BD

For the first time, UnitedHealth Group, with the support of the professional societies, will provide enhanced payment to reward primary care doctors whose care is based on this model, and who demonstrate measurable improvements in the overall health of their patients.

Each patient will have the choice to select a personal physician, or "medical home," who knows his or her medical and family history and coordinates their medical care. The physician will be responsible not only for treating a specific ailment or condition, but also for working with the patient to better manage his or her health care needs and arranging care as appropriate with other professionals.

The pilot program will be launched in Florida with approximately six specially-chosen primary care practices that will employ the model. UnitedHealth Group will support the practices participating in the pilot program by integrating its extensive quality improvement and care management into the practices' infrastructure. This includes sponsoring 24/7 nurse triage and other solutions that extend access to care, identification of and outreach to those who may need clinical interventions; and educational tools and assistance to help patients better manage their conditions. The pilot programs will include customers insured through UnitedHealthcare commercial insurance.