Improving the Quality of Health Care Delivery
Today, the health care system rewards volume instead of value. This means patients may go through lots of duplication in tests and office visits, with little coordination. Inefficiency can be frustrating for patients, doesn’t improve care, and adds to escalating health care costs. Minnesota has led the nation in beginning to address these problems by rewarding health care providers for keeping patients healthy and providing better care at lower cost. Health reform keeps the state on this path by reducing unnecessary paperwork, providing incentives for better care at lower cost, and coordinating care around patient needs. Together, these changes bring Minnesotans more value for their health care dollars.
Health Care that Centers Around Patients and Families - Health Care Homes provide coordinated care so patients with chronic disease are healthier, more involved in their health care decisions and spend less on health care.
Better Health Care at Lower Cost - Health reform keeps Minnesota on the path to better value for our health care dollars.
Reducing Unnecessary Paperwork - Electronic health records and simplifying administrative processes improve care and lower costs.
- How can I find health care providers that provide high-quality, lower cost services?
-
The Minnesota Department of Health has been developing a system to compare physician clinics and hospitals based on cost and quality. The results will be reported in a consumer-friendly way beginning early in 2012. This information will also be used by health plans, state agencies, and local government to help consumers select high-quality, low –cost providers. Providers can also use this information to improve their quality and reduce costs.
- I have heard the term “accountable care organizations.” What are these?
-
Accountable care organizations (ACO) are a model for paying for and delivering health care that pays providers based on the quality of care they provide and the total cost of care. Health systems in Minnesota have been developing ACO models for several years and they now have the opportunity to use the model with Medicare patients through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. Health reform created this Center which has broad authority to try new payment and care delivery models that improve health care quality and decrease cost, including ACOs.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is also exploring how an ACO model could be used to improve care and bring down costs for enrollees in the state’s Medicaid program beginning in 2012.
- How does a Health Care Home work?
-
In a health care home, if you see a lot of doctors or specialists or if you have a chronic illness or a complex medical condition, you can have a health care team dedicated to helping you achieve your best health.
Typically, this team includes your primary care provider (doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner), a care coordinator along with professionals specific to your individual requirements, such as pharmacists, physical therapists, nutritionists, health educators, community health workers and more. Family members and caregivers can also be part of your team.
When you need a specialist, your health care team assists with coordinating qualified professionals and follow-up on each stage of your care.
You are treated as the central member of your health care team. As partners, you and your health care team work together to plan your care based on your needs.
- How does health reform increase the availability of health care homes in Minnesota?
-
Minnesota’s health care home program began in 2007 and has been growing ever since. The Affordable Care Act provides additional opportunities to increase the number of health care homes in Minnesota by providing incentives for clinics and providers to participate in the program.