Medical Home Gives Patients Better Primary Care at No More Cost

A Group Health Cooperative demonstration project finds that, at one year, patients at a medical home:

• Had 29 percent fewer emergency room visits, 11 percent fewer hospitalizations that primary care can prevent, and 6 percent fewer in-person visits
• Reported higher ratings on six scales of patient experience
• Used 94 percent more e-mail, 12 percent more phone, and more group visits and self-management support workshops

They also received better health care, including needed screening tests, management of their chronic illnesses, and monitoring of their medications.

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