All ETDs from UAB

Advisory Committee Chair

Larry R Hearld

Advisory Committee Members

S Robert Hernandez

Amy Yarbrough Landry

Michael A Morrisey

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

2013

Degree Name by School

Executive Doctor of Science (DSc) School of Health Professions

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) practice capabilities and costs. Complexity science theory was used to develop a theoretical framework to address three primary and twelve secondary hypotheses. Secondary data from a consortium of physician organizations participating in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's Physician Group Incentive Program and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's administrative claims data were used to test hypothesized relationships using fixed effects panel regression models. It was found that higher levels of aggregated PCMH practice capabilities were negatively associated with certain costs, specifically average readmission costs. In addition, it was found that high-touch relationship-centered PCMH practice capabilities were more highly correlated with cost reduction than high-technology capabilities. Furthermore, high levels of certain individual PCMH practice capabilities were negatively associated with certain costs. Specifically, patient-provider partnership capabilities and test result tracking and follow-up capabilities were negatively associated with average emergency room costs. Likewise, patient-provider capabilities and specialist referral process capabilities were negatively associated with average readmission costs. No significant associations were noted between PCMH capabilities and initial admission costs. Findings from the study are useful to physician practices, physician organizations, payers and policymakers to extend their knowledge of how PCMH practice capabilities are related to costs. Practitioners interested in expanding the PCMH model may also use these findings to evaluate and determine the order of PCMH practice capability implementation. The findings also provide important insights and direction to be explored in future research.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.