Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has designated more than 1,800 physicians in roughly 500 practices across the state as patient-centered medical homes, the largest PCMH effort in the United States and one that has information technology at its core.

The number of designated physicians has increased by about 50 percent since 2009.

In the PCMH program, primary care physicians lead care teams that bring intensive focus to their patients' individual health goals and needs. The care teams work with patients to keep them healthy and monitor their care on an ongoing basis.

The use of information technology comes into play at almost every turn.

The BCBSM PCMH program uses a model that considers two processes of care and performance to designate physicians. One-half of the designation score was based on the amount of PCMH capabilities the physician practices have in place – such as 24-hour telephone access, use of disease registries, and active care management. The other half of the designation score was based on quality and utilization measurements, such as emergency room visits, radiology and evidence-based care measures among their patients.

"Blue Cross is working in partnership with some of Michigan's leading healthcare professionals to improve access for patients, improve quality and lower costs," said Thomas L. Simmer, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer for BCBSM. "People want closer relationships with their doctors, not only when they are sick, but when they need advice and guidance to keep them healthy.”

Preliminary data shows that PCMH-designated doctors are succeeding in managing their patients' care to keep them healthy and prevent complications that require expensive medical services to treat.

Approximately 5,000 primary care doctors in Michigan are working toward designation as PCMH practices by transforming how their practices deliver healthcare services to patients. The initiative is reaching close to two million Michigan residents, according to BCBSM.

"Physicians recognize the value that patient-centered medical home provides to their patients, and thousands are working hard to gain designation by Blue Cross," Simmer said. "Our designations have grown from 1,200 to 1,800 in just one year, and I'm anticipating they will continue to increase as more physician practices bring new capabilities online in the coming months and years."

The PCMH initiative is part of Value Partnerships, a collection of collaborative initiatives among physicians, hospitals and the Michigan Blues, all aimed at improving quality in medical care.