How the Patient-Centered Medical Home “Repackages” Primary Care

The healthcare industry operates in a unique economic niche where the “what you see is what you get” principle that governs most other consumer interactions only vaguely applies.  Patients often walk into the consult room with absolutely no idea what will happen to them or how much it is going to cost, only to be surprised with punishing bills weeks after the fact.

On one hand, it makes perfect sense that healthcare doesn’t come with a price tag.  After all, every patient is different, and it is impossible for a clinician to know their diagnosis before conducting a series of exams and tests, each of which may suddenly change the course of future treatment.

The delivery of personalized care is a major goal for the industry, which prides itself on providing individualized attention and a human touch in a patient’s hour of need. 

But patients, especially those in for a lengthy treatment process for a chronic disease or major acute condition, want to know what they’re in for when they cross the threshold of a hospital or physician office.  Skyrocketing copays and deductibles have dialed up the pressure on consumer wallets, making financial transparency an urgent proposition for healthcare organizations looking to retain market share.

Can healthcare providers offer patients a better idea of what they’re paying for while still providing high-quality, personalized, integrated care and reducing overall costs? 

The answer may lie with one of the most popular new frameworks for innovative care delivery: the patient-centered medical home.