tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181810725696409953.post1883634891259763841..comments2024-03-17T04:20:11.083-04:00Comments on The Population Health Blog: More on the Success of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's Success With the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH)Jaan Sidorovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05072456803925863874noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181810725696409953.post-25251929174895688232010-06-20T12:03:22.783-04:002010-06-20T12:03:22.783-04:00Anonymous makes some very good points. "Savi...Anonymous makes some very good points. "Savings" consist of something that didn't happen, which is very hard to mention. In addition, assuming savings can be translated into hard cash somewhere in the system, it's not clear just who gets the cash PLUS it doesn't appear to be the patients/BCBS subscribers.<br /><br />On the other hand, I read that BCBS is relying on the University of MI to analyze the results and there is a commitment to share the data in a peer reviewed forum.<br /><br />As for the State auditing the program, I don't know if a typical State bureaucreacy has the expertise to do it well. On the other hand, the State does have regulatory oversight and they haven't stepped in and said the program is the rip off that's being implied in Anon's comments.<br /><br />Last but not least, this is a nonprofit company, which should help give comfort to the idea that a savings > expense (which is, admittedly, where the physicians are) will ultimately work to slow down premium rate increases for purchasers and subscrbers. THAT scenario is more reasonable than a Medicare scenario, where the accountability is so diffuse and the time horizon is limitless.<br /><br />coda: DMAA has an excellent methodology to measure savings which is very credible. The challenge is to make it transparent AND publish this, the sooner the better.Jaan Sidorovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05072456803925863874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181810725696409953.post-66150240030655660182010-06-20T09:18:44.448-04:002010-06-20T09:18:44.448-04:00The reason for BCBSM's lack of report about sa...The reason for BCBSM's lack of report about savings is due to the fact that the model may be good for physicians but does not provide cost savings. Millions have been spent on providing incentives to physicians without showing any returns. The program has been reporting the same savings from generic drugs year after year. Incentives have not been passed on to patients by the physician groups or to their staff, except on an exception basis. How long should the model be allowed to continue by the BCBSM board without "proof of concept?" The physician groups do not object since they are still earning additional funds. There is little accountability to the BCBSM members, except self-promotion of the program. Has the state ever audited the program? Self-report on success is not a credible measure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com