Innovations such as this one work in forward-looking health care organizations, such as this one, Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania.

Geisinger is paying for nurses to stay on top of chronic disease patients—the ones who need the most attention—and help the doctor avoid hospitalizations whenever possible.

If this works, will national health plans follow?

The New York Times

…”The essential business model of medical insurance will have to change,” said Dr. Glenn D. Steele Jr., the chief executive of Geisinger Health System, which operates a network of clinics and hospitals in Pennsylvania.

“Geisinger is known nationally for its innovative approaches to delivering high-quality care at lower cost. It also owns a health insurance plan that covers about 250,000 people — including many of Dr. Kilduff’s patients in Shavertown. (Ed. Note: A doctor mentioned at the beginning of the story.)

“As an insurer, Geisinger now pays the salaries of extra nurses in doctors’ offices, whose full-time job is to help patients with chronic diseases stay on top of their conditions and, ideally, out of the hospital. The doctors, including Dr. Kilduff, help hire the nurses, who work closely with the doctors to oversee the patients’ care. (Emphasis added)

“The nurses make sure patients who need quick appointments are squeezed in, and they alert the doctors to any early indications of trouble by keeping in close contact with the patients and looking out for the results of patients’ lab tests.” (Emphasis added)

Source: New York Times, June 21, 2010