A-08 Group & Faculty Practice Education Program & Caucus

Session title: Improving Care Coordination: Medical Groups Pave the Way

Date: Saturday, June 14, 2008

Luncheon:  12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (Pre-registeration Required)
Program time:  1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Location:
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL  60601
Phone: (312) 565-1234

Meeting room:  Columbus I-J
 
CME credit: The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Faculty:

Keynote Speaker: 
John Pilotte, MHS
Social Science Research Analyst
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 

Panelists: 
Bruce H. Hamory, MD
EVP, Chief Medical Officer
Geisinger Health System 

Theodore A. Praxel, MD
Medical Director, Quality Improvement & Care Management
Marshfield Clinic     
 
Program description:

There is relatively little data that suggests one specific practice setting is superior to another in quality of care outcomes. However, some experts believe that group practices have a greater potential to improve quality, use IT, operate more efficiently and contain costs of medical care. While the use of care management processes and IT is not standard practice in all groups, a recent national study found that large multispecialty medical groups were significantly more likely to use recommended care management processes than more loosely organized groups (Shortell and Schmittdiel). The use has been liked to improved quality of care.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) conducted a three-year trial program (April 2005 - April 2008) called the Physician Group Practice demonstration. CMS asked ten large group practices to implement care management improvements that would lead to higher quality of care. In return, the group practices were eligible to receive as a bonus, a portion of money they saved Medicare by improving patient care.

Faculty from CMS will outline his perspective of the PGP demonstration and what changes CMS will consider implementing as a result. A reaction panel consisting of representatives from two participating group practices will share their experiences in meeting the challenges of financial and quality goals.

Learning objectives:

Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to:

1. Distinguish between the perspective of CMS and group practice leaders on the outcome of the CMS PGP demonstration.

2. Evaluate how improving care coordination led to better outcomes for patients with chronic health conditions.

3. Analyze whether CMS’s financial incentives were sufficient to support the administrative costs while improving quality of care.

4. Demonstrate the feasibility of extending the initiatives to different practice settings (small/single specialty groups and solo practices) with fewer staff and less technology.

For additional information, please contact Alice Reed, at alice.reed@ama-assn.org.