Ohio to invest $1M in patient-centered care

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio plans to spend $1 million to expand an approach to primary care that encourages the family doctor to better coordinate with specialists and others to improve a patient’s health.

State health officials today said the investment would help boost the number of so-called patient-centered medical homes from 44 to 50 sites around Ohio.

Under the new approach, primary-care providers would coordinate patients’ care to avoid doubling-up on tests or unnecessary hospital visits, among other issues.

Backers say the approach leads to better health outcomes and reduces costs to individuals and taxpayers.

In expanding the patient-centered approach, the state will give priority to practices that serve minority populations. At least 15 percent of every practice that receives training dollars must support either uninsured or Medicaid-eligible Ohioans.