CommuniCare’s mission focuses on improving the health of those we serve with a commitment to excellence in all that we do. The Joint Commission’s accreditation since 1999 and designation as a “Primary Care Medical Home” since 2012 reflects that commitment by providing and exceeding the national safety and quality of care performance standards.
Through the use of state-of- the-art diagnostic equipment, facilities, electronic medical records, and highly trained healthcare providers and staff, CommuniCare strives to be the premier primary healthcare system of choice for all patients. The array of services offered include pediatrics, women’s health (Ob-Gyn), family medicine, dentistry, behavioral health, senior care, minor surgery and WIC services.
How does CommuniCare stand out today as a primary healthcare center, in the manner in which it delivers primary care services?
“CommuniCare’s mission focuses on improving the health of those we serve with a commitment to excellence in all that we do”
Having a very dedicated and committed Board of Directors, the senior leadership team is tasked to be innovative and focus on integrating services and partnerships in all that we do, while focusing on our mission and vision. CommuniCare’s adaptability to an ever-changing healthcare environment, as well as uniformity in service operations, is vital for current and future sustainability and growth.
Recognizing that the United States healthcare system accounts for approximately 17 to 18 percent of the gross domestic product, and is estimated to reach nearly 21 percent by 2021, it is one of the most expensive in the world. Currently, healthcare is and has been driven by volume-based visits, and by this we mean that the reimbursement of visits is the driving force for the financial viability of clinics, hospitals and private practices. We may be seeing over the next few years the recognition of healthy, value-based outcomes having a higher reimbursement for health organizations.
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement developed an infrastructure coined the Triple Aim in the late-2000s. The focus is for healthcare institutions to utilize three key components to maximize their performance.
1. Through the provision of outstanding quality of care and service, the end result is maximizing the patient experience of care
2. Addressing the patient population’s health needs through greater access to services
3. Reduced costs in performing all of the aforementioned
In recognition of the Triple Aim, we at CommuniCare see the need for all three components to work synergistically. Through an integrated model of care, we provide a team-based, hassle-free approach internally and externally with community health specialists and hospitals. From the moment patients call to schedule appointments or visit our clinics, a navigation process begins to guide them through the often confusing maze of healthcare. Enrollment specialist are available to assist patients as they assist in finding possible healthcare insurance coverage they may not be aware of, as well as finding funded service resources that reduce or cover medical visits. CommuniCare partners with Walgreens and has a reduced prescription program to eliminate high medication costs as a barrier to treatment.
“Recognizing that the United States healthcare system accounts for approximately 17 to 18 percent of the gross domestic product, and is estimated to reach nearly 21 percent by 2021, it is one of the most expensive in the world”
Upon establishing their primary care home with CommuniCare, patients have access and use of all 12 clinics at their disposal. Internally, all service lines are silo free, which means that individuals or families have continuity of care without barriers. For example, a pregnant mother can establish prenatal care upon enrollment, have her obstetrical care, and deliver her baby at one of our partnering hospitals of her choice. The patient has continued postnatal care, and eventually, she can transition and crosswalk to primary care in family medicine. All medical records, labs, testing, and imaging are electronic and available internally and externally should the patient choose. Patients are provided availability to schedule appointments and view their medical records through the use of a secure patient portal. This mother can also establish pediatric care to help her child thrive and live a healthy life.
At CommuniCare, we strive to treat acute illnesses and manage chronic health issues. Through the provision of patient health education, engaging patients to take greater ownership in the management of their care, early preventive screening for children, adults and seniors. Through these efforts, we are providing lower cost preventive medicine, rather than late diagnosis and chronic management which is more reactive and costly.
CommuniCare’s Behavioral Health staff includes psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors. We provide counseling and psychiatric services for children and their families. The scope of these services is limited to patients that can be assisted by brief outpatient psychiatric and counseling treatment. Such services include individual psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, tobacco cessation, diagnostic assessment, medication management, and lastly ADD or ADHD care.
The availability of comprehensive dental care for children and adults is vital to the healthy life cycle of an individual. Our dental staff not only treats dental disease, but they also educate our patients on the importance of good oral hygiene and proper diet in order to prevent future dental problems.
In conclusion, CommuniCare houses primary care services that are available to all patients, and wherever there are barriers to attaining good health, a consorted effort is made to eliminate them for patients. We strive to make the patient experience one with services of the highest quality and care. We cannot be everything to everyone, but because we are in tune with our patients and their medical needs, we are proactively tracking changes in service line use and illnesses year-round.
Not all communities use the same services equally, and so we as an organization are ever-adapting and willing to recognize that healthcare is on the road to transformation. The manner in which a community and patients are kept healthy requires not only healthcare insurance coverage and access, but the manner in which efficient, adaptable, collective and coordinated care with clinicians, specialists and hospitals all focus for the common good of greater health.
For more information visit www.communicaresa.org.
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