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S.C. medical home pilot for patients with diabetes under way with Blues support

A patient-centered medical home pilot program centered in Charleston, S.C., has in its first three months enrolled 1,110 patients, all diabetics who will be monitored by a primary care physician.

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is paying an additional care management fee to the practices participating in the pilot, a group of 19 clinics operated by Palmetto Primary Care Physicians.

Physicians anchor a team of caregivers, including social workers, dietitians, pharmacists, nurses and diabetes educators. Patients enrolled in the pilot are able to access tools to help track their care online, and can schedule online visits with their physicians. Case managers follow a patient's care and aim to reduce missed appointments, track health measures and educate patients.

According to 2008 data analysis by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 10.1% of South Carolina residents have been told by a doctor that they have diabetes, compared to 8.2% nationally.

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New hospital company forms

A pair of hospital executives have secured funding to form a company that will acquire and operate hospitals in non-urban areas across the country, according to a statement issued July 16.

Martin S. Rash, former chair and CEO of Province Healthcare, and John M. Rutledge, a former president of Province, have created RegionalCare Hospital Partners. Province, based in Brentwood, Tenn., merged with Lifepoint Hospitals in 2005. Rash has launched several health care companies since his departure from Province.

"We want to ... partner with hospitals that serve a broad, regional population and help them meet the health care needs of their communities," said Rash.

Global equities firm Warburg Pincus will provide $300 million to RegionalCare Hospital Partners for the acquisition, expansion and running of health care institutions.

This content was published online only.

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