CareFirst Blues Reports $40 Million In Savings From 1 Million Patients In Medical Homes; 1.5% Decrease In Spending

On June 7, 2012, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) reported that costs for the nearly 1 million patients served through its patient centered medical home (PCMH) program were 1.5% lower than their projected costs based on previous utilization levels. The savings totaled about $40 million, and nearly 60% of the eligible primary care panels, groups of primary care physicians and nurse practitioners, participating in the PCMH program earned Outcomes Incentive Awards (OIA) for their performance during 2011. OIAs will be paid to PCMH participants in the form of increased fee reimbursements for certain primary care services beginning July 1, 2012 . . .