Providence Medical Group Primary Care recognized for high-quality care

Patient-Centered Medical Home certification highlights commitment to patient-centered model of care

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Providence Medical Group Primary Care has received certification as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. NCQA recognizes clinics for utilizing a patient-centered model of care that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships. 

PMG Primary Care pursued this certification because of the long-term benefit to patients and their clinical care teams. The clinic was certified in January 2019.

“Patients now have an entire team engaged in their health care,” said Thomas Yetman, M.D., chief executive of Providence Medical Group Alaska. “There are many roadblocks that can get in the way of a patient’s health care, and PCMH teams are the answer to these roadblocks.”

NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system. Research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, as well as improve patient and provider reported experiences of care.

“NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” said Margaret E. O’Kane, NCQA president. “Recognition shows that Providence Medical Group Primary Care has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.”

To earn Patient-Centered Medical Home certification, clinics must complete a process to verify they meet a variety of patient-care standards.

“We have to meet 65 performance and competency measures in order to become PCMH certified,” said Dr. Yetman. “We felt this was important because it puts patients at the forefront, improves quality of care and patient experience, and increases staff satisfaction, all while reducing health care costs.”

According to NCQA, the recognition program is the most widely adopted PCMH evaluation program in the country. Patient-Centered Medical Homes are driving some of the most important reforms in healthcare delivery today. A growing body of scientific evidence shows that PCMHs are saving money by reducing hospital and emergency department visits, mitigating health disparities, and improving patient outcomes. More than 13,500 practices are recognized by NCQA.

According to a 2016 study by the Alaska Division of Public Health, Alaska’s health care system has suffered a shortage and uneven distribution of primary care health providers for many years. Meeting Alaska’s need for primary care is one of the many reasons PMG Primary Care pursued Patient-Centered Medical Home certification.

“Providing a full array of primary care resources in one location is a huge benefit to our patients,” said Dr. Yetman. “This includes ensuring same-day appointments are available. Increasing access to care was one of the key components of earning this certification.”

PMG Primary Care is the second Providence Alaska clinic to earn PCMH certification; Providence Family Medicine Center achieved recertification in 2017.

For more information about PMG Primary care or to make an appointment, visit alaska.providence.org/services/p/primary-care or call (907) 212-3420.

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About Providence Medical Group Alaska
Providence Medical Group Alaska is part of Providence Health & Services Alaska, a not-for-profit network of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, care centers, physicians, clinics, home health services, and affiliated services operating mostly in South Central Alaska. We are committed to the PH&SA vision of providing a connected experience of care built on a foundation of clinical excellence. alaska.providence.org/services/p/pmg-alaska

About NCQA
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers and researchers. ncqa.org