When it comes to health care, most of us would like to think we’re more than just a name on a file as we’re shuffled through the medical system.

In fact, wouldn’t you like your health care to be led by a team of professionals focused on your individual health care needs, and led by a primary doctor that knows you and coordinates all your care?

That’s exactly the type of primary care delivered through the Patient-Centered Medical Home model in place at 17 JSA Medical Group primary care practices throughout Tampa Bay.

Humana partnered with JSA to bring this medical home model to Tampa Bay last November.

Although it sounds like a place, medical home really is an approach to delivering primary care, one that focuses on the health of the whole person.

A core feature of the medical home is that each patient has a primary care physician, like Dr. Broderick, who leads a coordinated and integrated medical team, much like a quarterback leads a football team.

One of the best things about the Medical Home model is that it strengthens the relationship between the patient and the primary care physician, which is critical to achieving better health outcomes. This program also results in improved access to care and greater patient satisfaction.

For those of us who can remember the Marcus Welby days of the family doctor, it brings us closer to that type of care, before our health care system became so complicated. 

Primary care physicians are our first line of defense, especially when it comes to preventive medicine, which is so important to maintaining one’s health. Patients who have a meaningful relationship with a primary care physician tend to live longer, are happier and have better health outcomes.

The Medical Home model works especially well for seniors, many of whom see multiple doctors and take a mix of prescriptions. It’s so important to have that primary physician at the helm coordinating that care.

At JSA, we’ve always prided ourselves on delivering exceptional and individualized primary care, and the medical home model allows us to expand that commitment to our patients.

It includes individualized treatment plans for patients that focus on preventive and regular care, encourages patients to be more engaged and informed, and helps us identify risks before they become serious health problems.

Some of the benefits of Medical Home include:

- Reduced emergency room visits
- Better continuity of care
- Patients seen more often and sooner, as well as after hours care- always have  a doctor on call 24 hours a day
- Proactive wellness, chronic care and care coordination planning
- Social and lifestyle support programs 

Although JSA is leading the way in Tampa Bay, Humana is also partnering with health care providers in South Florida and across the country to pilot the Patient-Centered Medical Home concept, with significant results to date, including lower hospital admission rates, reduced emergency room visits, and increased primary care visits.

For more information about JSA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home,              contact JSA Medical Group at:
727-824-0780
800-966-2811
Or go to: www.jsamedicalgroup.com