Several UTMB representatives participated in the Texas Primary Care and Health Home Summit June 18-19 in San Antonio. The annual conference provided the opportunity to learn about medical home models and best practices, and to interact with program experts at various stages of implementation.
One of the featured sessions explored the role of the Texas Healthcare Transformation Waiver (1115 Medicaid Waiver) and highlighted how the waiver has helped promote the concept of the patient-centered medical home. Sessions on navigating the PCMH journey and integrating behavioral health with primary care/physical health provided attendees with an opportunity to better understand challenges and identify best practices that support better clinical outcomes of target populations.
Dr. Cynthia Judice, chief medical officer for UTMB Community-Based Clinics; Craig Kovacevich, associate vice president for Waiver Operations and Community Health Plans; and Ann O'Connell, vice president for Ambulatory Operations, presented on 1115 Waiver projects at UTMB and within Region 2, which comprises 16 counties. One of the presentations, moderated by Dr. Kenneth Shine, special adviser to the executive vice chancellor for Health Affairs at The University of Texas System, focused on UTMB’s journey to patient-centered care, including our National Committee for Quality Assurance recognition.
“UTMB was honored to be able to share the great work we have done related to both our patient-centered medical home status and behavioral health care issues through the waiver,” said Kovacevich. “Waiver projects in Texas have a heavy focus on the Medicaid and dual-eligible population, but all patients, no matter their payor status, can benefit from the increased access and other project outcomes directly tied to Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) initiatives.”
Background:
In December 2011, Texas received federal approval from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for the creation of an 1115 Medicaid Waiver that would allow hospitals and other providers, such as local behavioral health centers, develop programs or strategies to enhance access to health care and also increase the quality of care and the cost-effectiveness of care. Programs under the waiver, called DSRIP projects, incentivize hospitals and other providers to transform their service delivery practices to improve quality, health status, patient experience, coordination and cost-effectiveness.