The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) is addressing the lack of coordination of care for patients with chronic conditions. Funding was included in the NY state legislation to use to develop what is being referred to as a “Physician Practice Support Organization (PPSO). The idea is for the PPSO to be guided by a Steering Committee to transform the medical practice business model in the Adirondack Region of New York State.
The Adirondack Region faces many challenges not only because it is rural but also because the economic picture is bleak due to the closing of a number of prevalent industries in the region. The situation is further complicated by the lack of access to primary care due to a primary care physician shortage and as a result, there is a higher occurrence of chronic diseases in the region, especially diabetes.
The MSSNY in coordination with the NY Department of Health has formed a Committee on Health Information Technology that includes over 20 representatives from around the state, including county and specialty medical societies, as well as physicians and group practice managers from diverse practice settings, and representatives from the hospital and payer communities.
Currently, the Committee on Health Information Technology has developed a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is looking for applications from organizations to help MSSNY develop the “Physician Practice Support Organization”. The goal for PPSO is to accomplish enhanced health outcomes for the patient population in the Adirondack region while also improving the reimbursement and methodologies for solo, small group, and rural practices in the area.
According to the RFP, three sub-regional service sites would be selected and new performance reporting requirements would be put in place based on evidence-based care. Also reimbursement models would be put in place to reward the physicians for evidence-based quality of care within their practices.
MSSNY issued RFP (0907131043) on September 11, 2009, with applications due October 23, 2009. For more information email Ron Pucherelli, Project Administrator, Health Information Technology, MSSNY rpucherelli@mssny.org, or call (518)-465-8055.
