U-M partners with Blue Cross Blue Shield on research grants

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 | Source: Concentrate

Health care normally tops the list of things slated for reformation and new innovation. That's much easier said than done, but a unique partnership between the University of Michigan and Blue Cross Blue Shield could push that movement forward.

The two institutions are splitting about $900,000 in grants to find cost efficiencies and ways to provide better services through primary care outlets like doctor's offices. The three-year grants will specifically examine the effectiveness of a Physician Group Incentive program and physicians' progress on transforming their practices into the Blues' Patient Centered Medical Home model.

Blue Cross Blue Shield is also teaming up with Michigan State University to compare care management programs delivered through a doctor's office with similar programs delivered through a health plan. The idea is that patients trust their regular physicians most and will be more open to engagement.

"We need to build better processes of the care for our patients and make sure they can access us when it's the most relevant," says Chris Wise, a principal investigator for one of the grants and director of lean clinical redesign with the University of Michigan Health System. "There is a lot of learning going on."

The researchers hope the studies of Michigan doctors will lead to some findings that can help reform and improve primary care across the U.S. Those improvements could include more shared information, better coordination and communication for doctors, patients, and the healthcare plan.

Source: Chris Wise, director of lean clinical redesign at the University of Michigan Health System
Writer: Jon Zemke

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