JAMA Article Examines National Coordinated Care Projects, Including One In Atlanta

Atlanta Medicare Program Seeks Savings From Hospital Readmissions by Daniel Malloy.  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association examines 14 national demonstration projects during 2009 and 2010 aimed at reducing hospitalizations in Medicare.  One of the programs examined was in Atlanta's eastern suburbs.  The Atlanta program encompassed several nursing homes and home health organizations focused on care for seniors.  Improving coordination of care in transitions was the aim of the program which has now expanded to twelve sites around the state.  Preventing readmissions is viewed as a key objective for both patient care and cost control objectives.  The approach taken in the program is consistent with the basic coordinated care approach required by the Affordable Care Act, though the study predates the 2010 law.