CIGNA Corp. is working Holston Medical Group to test a relatively new approach to coordinating patient care.
The Bloomfield, Conn., managed care arm at CIGNA, Philadelphia (NYSE:CI), and Holston, Kingsport, Tenn., have started a "patient-centered medical home" program in the Tri-Cities and southwestern Virginia area.
A medical home approach has primary care physicians use sophisticated data analysis tools and outreach programs to manage and coordinate patients' care and encourage patients to take better care of themselves.
About 150 health care professionals will participate in the CIGNA-Holston pilot.
In addition to electronic medical records and in-practice condition management, the pilot program will involve onsite urgent care, extended hours care, health care system navigation services and a pay-for-performance mechanism.
