CareFirst’s Medical Home Program Saved Consumers $1.2 Billion By Lowering Readmissions, Lengths Of Stay

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield recently revealed that its medical home program has lowered the expected cost of care for consumers by almost $1.2 billion since its commencement in 2011. The savings were primarily accomplished via a reduction in hospital admissions, readmission, and hospital length of stay.

Specifically, CareFirst BlueCross members experienced 21.3% fewer hospital admissions, 22.5% fewer ER visits, and 7.8% fewer days spent in the hospital since the inception of the medical home program seven years ago. The program itself involves organizing primary care providers into panels—or groups of 15 clinical professionals—who work together . . .