Report shows mixed results, promise for PCMH model

“Clearly, the momentum for the PCMH continues to build,” states The Patient Centered Medical Home’s Impact on Cost & Quality: An annual update of the evidence 2012-2013. The Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC) report focused on 21 studies of PCMH care models released between August 2012 and December 2013 that analyzed the model's costs and quality. According to the report, eight of the studies reported fewer hospital admissions and three showed fewer 30-day readmissions under PCMCH care models. However, only five reported improved access to care.

Meanwhile, four showed an increase in patient satisfaction and six showed an increase in preventive services. More of the studies—12—found that PCMHs were reducing costs by varying cost reductions as defined by lower per-member-per-month costs, return on investments, and total cost of care, while none showed an increase in costs. Emergency department visits also dropped in 60% of the studies.

Source: PCPCC