Perdue, Bev. Press Release, 2010-02-05, Gov. Perdue and Sen. Hagan Applaud Cms Announcement That More North Carolinians Will Benefit from Patient Centered Medical Homes

Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor 20301 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-0301 February 5, 2010 Contact: Chrissy Pearson Office: (919) 733-5612 Gov. Perdue and Sen. Hagan Applaud CMS Announcement That More North Carolinians Will Benefit from Patient Centered Medical Homes RALEIGH - Gov. Bev Perdue and U.S. Senator Kay Hagan today praised the recent Centers or Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement that the North Carolina Community Care Networks was selected to expand patient-centered medical homes. North Carolina was one of only two states selected by CMS to implement a new Medicare quality demonstration to improve the quality of care received by Medicare beneficiaries at less cost to the taxpayer. Under the community care “medical home” model, each patient has access to a primary care provider who is responsible for overseeing comprehensive and preventative care, working in collaboration with nurses, specialists, and other health care professionals. The primary care provider serves as the nexus for all of a patient’s care and medical history. With this announcement, North Carolina will be able to expand this model of care to more North Carolinians by including those who are simultaneously eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid programs, and well as Medicare-only beneficiaries. Currently, the model is only used for Medicaid patients. Gov. Perdue has been a supporter of expanding the “medical home” model. “North Carolina is a leader when it comes to the medical home care system that improves quality of care while reducing costs,” said Gov. Perdue. “North Carolina’s innovative solutions continue to be recognized nationally.” Senate Hagan advocated for the community care model on the Senate floor. “The patient centered medical home, which was pioneered in North Carolina, is an innovate delivery system