Bellin Iron Mountain, Escanaba Earn Medical Home Status

Blue Cross Blue Shield accolade recognizes quality, cost-effective patient-centered care

The Bellin Health clinics in Iron Mountain and Escanaba, Mich. have been selected as Patient-Centered Medical Home designated practices by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

This designation acknowledges primary care physician offices that have made the most progress incorporating high-quality, cost-effective care that is centered around the patient. Designated practices meet patients’ needs by providing more individualized, whole-person care. This change in practice patterns has resulted in higher quality care with better outcomes and lower costs.

The Patient-Centered Medical Home model encourages and enables providers and their teams to manage patients’ care continually, rather than simply addressing needs once patients become sick or injured, said Amy Dettman, vice president of Bellin Health’s Physician Division.

“The PCMH approach allows us to be proactive — and often, to stop problems before they start,” Dettman said. “That benefits patients, their providers and our health system as a whole.”

The nationally renowned PCMH program is currently in its 10th year. During that time, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has designated more than 4,600 physicians in 1,700 practices across Michigan as Patient-Centered Medical Homes. A recent analysis shows the model has led to $626 million in costs avoided. This is because of preventive and coordinated care that helps patients avoid emergency department visits and hospital stays.

“The commitment to this program from physician organizations and physician practices has created a sustained, measurable transformation in primary care across the state,” said Dr. Amy McKenzie, medical director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “There are PCMH-designated physicians now in 80 of 83 Michigan counties. If you live in Michigan, you have access to this outstanding model of care.”