MCNP News

Participation in the Medical Home Demonstration Project

1/26/2010

Together with our consultants, Policy Strategists, LLC, I have been actively involved for months now on a Council shaping a significant opportunity here in Massachusetts designed to pay for and transform primary care practice demonstration sites into "patient-centered medical homes." Many of you may be aware that patient centered medical home demonstrations are unfolding across the country and the initial experience has been good for patients and good for providers in terms of additional payment provided for services performed. Historically, these services have not been covered under the fee for service model, but have been proven to result in cost savings to our health care delivery system, e.g. reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

Based on our input, NPs may participate in the practice demonstration sites in two ways: 1) as "care coordinators" within the practice OR 2) if an NP is a recognized PCP in a primary care practice (adult or pedi), as a primary care clinician. If identified and recognized as primary care clinician, the NP would be able to participate in the demonstration's learning collaborative on transforming primary care practices; would manage patients and have their performance measured and compared with PCPs not participating in the demonstration to compare quality measures and analyze cost efficiencies; and potentially reap shared savings paid to practice sites, where appropriate. The patient centered medical home model is a transformation in practice that is the next wave in health care delivery.

We are expecting the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to release a solicitation in the next 6 to 8 weeks. There is a link below to a white paper overview of the project to review and contemplate whether your practice site may be interested in participating. Practices must meet the following basic requirements to apply.

· At least 3FTEs of a primary care clinician (MD or NP recognized as a PCP) in the practice site;
· No more than 10 clinicians in any one practice site;
· Each PCP must have their own panel of patients, likely around 1,800;
· The practice site must have beneficiaries from multiple payers, including MassHealth;
· Practice sites treating adults and the disabled must be accepting Medicare as a payment source

If you are a PCP interested in participating, we are eager to support you and will be coordinating an information session to assist with responses to the solicitation. Kindly email me to note your interest and provide contact information with the best number to reach you.
Best,

Nancy O'Rourke, MSN, ACNP, ANP, RnC.
President, MCNP and AANP State Representative


Link to white paper overview of the project:

http://www.mcnpweb.org/files/01-26-10%20white%20paper%202009%209-30final%20%282%29%20doc%20MCNP%20%282%29.doc