CareFirst Medical Home Program Lowered Members’ Use Of Hospital-Based Care

Between 2011 and 2017, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield members participating in a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) have had 21.3% fewer hospital admissions compared to non-PCMH members. The PCMH members also had 22.5% fewer emergency department visits and spent 7.8% fewer days in the hospital. In 2017, the PCMH members had 7% fewer hospital admissions, 3% fewer readmissions to the hospital, and 3% fewer emergency department visits; they spent 4% fewer days in the hospital.

Nearly 90% of all primary care professionals (representing nearly 4,400 physicians and nurse practitioners) in the CareFirst mid-Atlantic service area . . .