The Future of Primary Care, Today

Open Enrollment for health insurance in 2015 is underway, so if you’re looking for coverage there is no better time to shop around and find health plans that fit your needs. Customized care comes in many forms including a new model of patient-centered medical homes where care is both personalized and efficient.

How does a patient-centered medical home work? A small team of doctors, nurses, care managers, and other health educators communicate and coordinate to ensure that the patients have everything needed to recover and/or stay well, whether it’s taking a test, making a medical decision, monitoring medication, or anything else related to their health. This is especially helpful to patients with diabetes or other chronic illnesses.

Patient-centered medical homes are often more accessible, offering after-hours appointments and open access scheduling — in other words, patients can see doctors as soon as needed. Approximately 40 percent of the primary care physicians in the Independence Blue Cross network practice in a patient-centered medical home. Primary care physicians in this type of practice must be accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. (They can be found in the NCQA directory.)

This new-and-improved approach means a more engaged and organized patient experience, which can ultimately improve care and cut costs and, essentially, streamline the way our healthcare practices operate.

Find more information on how Independence Blue Cross can be a part of your plan for health and wellness.

Sponsor content is created for IBX by Philadelphia magazine as a marketing collaboration with IBX. This material is intended for reference and information only and should not be used in place of advice from a doctor or suitable qualified healthcare professional.