Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced today a national Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) program that will begin in Connecticut and New Jersey. The program recognizes primary care physicians (PCPs) who more actively coordinate and manage their patients' care across the health care system. By strengthening the role of PCPs, the PCMH program aims to improve patient health outcomes.
Primary care providers who participate in Aetna's networks, who have been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a PCMH, and who are not participating in other quality incentive programs with Aetna will receive a quarterly Coordination of Care payment for each commercial (non-Medicare) Aetna member in their care. The NCQA-recognized PCMH practices are recognized for providing a number of services, including:
- Improved access to care, such as the ability to reach health professionals outside normal business hours
- Proactive and planned preventive care (screenings, physicals, labs)
- Improved access through non-face-to-face visits (e-mail, web, phone)
- Access to nurses and other health care professionals, allowing more focused physician visits
Aetna serves 460,000 commercial members in Connecticut, and 1.2 million commercial members in New Jersey. More than 400 physicians are currently part of the growing program. The company expects to expand the PCMH program nationally during 2012.
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