Ministry Medical Group Eagle River Receives National Medical Home Recognition

Ministry Medical Group in Eagle River received national recognition for their medical home model by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). They have received Level 3 Physician Practice Connections® - Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition (PPC-PCMH™).

NCQA recognizes primary care practices that function as patient-centered medical homes, a model of care where each patient is at the center of his/her care and has an ongoing relationship with a personal provider who leads a team that takes collective responsibility for patient care.

Ministry Medical Group launched three medical home pilot sites in 2011. Since then, many of their clinics have begun transitioning to medical homes. Ministry's medical home teams consist of physicians partnered with advanced practice providers (APNPs or PAs), RN case managers who coordinate chronic disease management, patient service representatives, and healthcare associates (CMAs or LPNs), and behavioral health specialists.

"This certification is a significant milestone for us," Nurse Practitioner, Mary Kahl said. "Our goal is to not only meet the requirements for certification, but to exceed them as a part of our ongoing work in making the healthcare experience the best it can be for our patients in Eagle River and the surrounding communities."

Some of the areas PPC-PCMH measure include patient tracking and registry functions; access and communication; care management; patient self-management support; electronic prescribing; test tracking; referral tracking; performance reporting and improvement, and advanced electronic communications.

In an effort to keep patients first, a patient advisory council was created in Eagle River. The patient advisory council meets monthly with members of Ministry Medical Group, and the team has made a great contribution by sharing stories and ideas on how to improve healthcare in the community. "The patient advisory council has also played an instrumental role in building and expanding community partnerships," added Kahl. "By including patients in the planning and design of clinic initiatives we have been able to develop new programs based upon their interests and personal need."

NCQA is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to assessing and reporting on the quality of managed care plans, managed behavioral healthcare organizations, preferred provider organizations, new health plans, physician organizations, credentials verification organizations, disease management programs and other health-related programs. There are nine PPC® standards, including 10 must-pass elements, which can result in one of three levels of recognition. Level three represents the highest level of recognition.

MMG Eagle River, located at 930 East Wall Street, offers a full range of services including family practice, pediatrics, diagnostic imaging services, audiology, obstetrics/gynecology, otolaryngology, orthopedics, rheumatology, surgery, AODA and behavioral health, and lab services.

The clinic offers expanded hours to accommodate patients. MMG Eagle River is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. To schedule an appointment, call 715-477-3000. Same day appointments are available.