United Physicians Celebrates One Year Anniversary for Physician Advocacy Cabinet (PAC)

When it was launched in January of 2010, PAC was intended to promote physician engagement, teamwork and community among participating physicians who are facing a healthcare industry during a period of significant change and transition.

What's happening is that the healthcare industry is transitioning from a fee-for-service model to a system that is based on quality, accountability, and an increased reliance on pay-for-performance measures," said Michael Williams, M.D., President and CEO of United Physicians.  "PAC gives participating physicians an opportunity to collaborate and share best practices to help deliver better overall value for the entire healthcare delivery system.  In addition, PAC also allows participating physicians to maximize their revenue through increased sensitivity and engagement in various pay-for-performance initiatives that are offered to providers."

When it was launched in January of 2010, PAC, comprised of a core group of 25 primary care physicians has since expanded to include the involvement of 148 physicians representing 117 primary care and specialty practice units.

It's not easy, but PAC has been incredibly rewarding for all involved", said Steve McClelland, M.D., Chair of PAC Primary Care.  By nature, doctors are a tough group to engage, but because PAC is organized and managed by practicing physicians who are actively transforming their practices, we have been successful in getting other doctors to participate.  Plus, PAC is showing positive, real-world results that are impossible to ignore."

Since it was launched in January 2010, PAC has:

• Helped the United Physicians Network experience a 220% growth in Patient-Centered Medical Home practices in 2010 versus 2009
• Generated a 23% improvement in per-member, per-month BCN network costs when compared to the same time period in 2009 (January through June 2010)
• Played a significant role in helping the State of Michigan vault to #2 nationally in e-prescribing

Given the current climate in the healthcare industry, the future outlook for PAC and what it offers to participating doctors is encouraging.  "Because we're focused on physician-to-physician collaboration and a Patient-Centered approach to the care we deliver, I am encouraged", said Harold Friedman, M.D., Chair of PAC Specialty Care.  "This is obviously the direction that the healthcare industry is headed, and if you want to practice medicine in the future, you need to get involved."

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