MedPAC urges medical home research

To date, the medical home model seems to have racked up some encouraging research support [1]. But at least some policymakers are urging caution, suggesting that it's too soon to move ahead with any large-scale implementation of this approach.

The head of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission hit the Hill this week to advocate research on the medical-home model of care to see if it can cut hospitalizations. This follows the release of a MedPAC report in June that suggested testing of the model, particularly testing focused on patients with multiple chronic conditions. 

In the long run, medical homes could be applied to all patients, not just chronically-ill ones, but it would be better to begin testing the concept on the chronically-ill population, Mark Miller, executive director of MedPAC, told the Senate Finance Committee. To make sure the tests are reliable, they'll need to be done over a relatively brief testing period with a large enough group to provide statistically-valid results. Just as important, any tests should include clear, specific results thresholds which will allow policymakers to determine whether the approach should be applied in the Medicare program or not, he said.

To learn more about Miller's remarks:
- read this Modern Healthcare piece [2] (reg. req.)

Related Articles:
Case study: NY pilot changes how 'medical home' is reimbursed [3]
New Orleans creates medical home for poor residents [4]
Study: Medical homes cut racial care disparities [1]
Questions arise over "medical home" payments [5]