Community Care of North Carolina: Improving Care Through Community Health Networks

• Published in: Annals of family medicine Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 361 - 367
• Main Authors: Steiner, Beat D., MD, MPH, Denham, Amy C., MD, MPH, Ashkin, Evan, MD, Newton, Warren P., MD, MPH, Wroth, Thomas, MD, MPH, Dohson, L. Allen, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Academy of Family Physicians 01.07.2008
• Subjects: Case Management - economics; Case Management - organization & administration; Case Management - trends; Chronic Disease - economics; Community Networks - economics; Community Networks - organization & administration; Community Networks - standards; Community Networks - trends; Cost Control - methods; Health Care Costs - trends; Humans; Internal Medicine; Medicaid - economics; Medicaid - organization & administration; Models, Econometric; North Carolina; Organizational Case Studies; Organizational Innovation; Primary Health Care - economics; Primary Health Care - organization & administration; Primary Health Care - standards; Primary Health Care - trends; Program Development - methods; Quality Assurance, Health Care - methods; Rural Health; Special Reports; United States; North Carolina; United States; case management; community networks; Medicaid; medically underserved; Medical home; chronic disease
• ISSN: 1544-1709; 1544-1717
• DOI: 10.1370/afm.866

Abstract The United States leads the world in health care costs but ranks far below many developed countries in health outcomes. Finding ways to narrow this gap remains elusive. This article describes the response of one state to establish community health networks to achieve quality, utilization, and cost objectives for the care of its Medicaid recipients. The program, known as Community Care of North Carolina, is an innovative effort organized and operated by practicing community physicians. In partnership with hospitals, health departments, and departments of social services, these community networks have improved quality and reduced cost since their inception a decade ago. The program is now saving the State of North Carolina at least $160 million annually. A description of this experience and the lessons learned from it can inform others seeking to implement effective systems of care for patients with chronic illness.