Hartford HealthCare Medical Group is excited to announce that 14 more of their primary care outpatient practices across Connecticut recently achieved Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition from the National Center for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Combined with the practices previously receiving the same recognition, the number of recognized practices now totals 55.

The PCMH is a model of care that puts patients at the forefront, by building better relationships between patients and their clinical care teams. Research conducted by NCQA shows that PCMHs improve quality, patient experience and staff satisfaction, all while reducing healthcare costs. Practices earning this recognition have made a commitment to continuous quality improvement and a patient-centered approach to care.

“We are extremely proud to have so many of our practices earning this esteemed honor,” explains Cynthia Heller, MD, Hartford HealthCare Medical Group’s vice president and physician in chief. “This recognition underscores our commitment to continuous improvement and our ongoing efforts to provide the highest level of care to the communities we serve.”

To be recognized as a Patient Centered Medical Home, a practice must demonstrate exceptional performance in a number of critical categories established by NCQA, including:

  • Providing patients with convenient access to clinical advice, helping to ensure continuity of care.
  • Ensuring primary and specialty care clinicians are effectively sharing information and managing patient referrals to minimize cost, confusion and inappropriate care.
  • Setting standards for data collection, medication reconciliation and evidence-based clinical decision support.
  • Establishing a cohesive structure of leadership, care team responsibilities and how the practice partners with patients, families and caregivers.
  • Assisting clinicians to set up care management protocols to identify patients requiring more closely-managed care.

The National Center for Quality Assurance is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to assessing and reporting on the quality of managed care plans, managed behavioral healthcare organizations, preferred provider organizations, new health plans, physician organizations, credentials verification organizations, disease management programs and other health-related programs.

The 55 Hartford HealthCare Medical Group practices achieving Patient Centered Medical Home Recognition include:

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