Ep 185 – The Modernization of Primary Care: Innovation and Partnership in the New Age, with Dr. Don Deep

What this episode covers

Innovation and partnership are the twin engines that propel us into a new era of healthcare. The fusion of cutting-edge technology and clinical innovation, empowered by collaborative relationships, can revolutionize primary care.  This cohesion of innovation and partnership makes primary care more accessible, effective, and patient-centered than ever before. There is no better example of primary care modernization than Central Ohio Primary Care (COPC), the largest physician-owned primary care group in the United States with over 480 physicians and 83 locations in central Ohio. Rooted in a long history of clinical excellence and a commitment to the highest ethical standards, COPC is building a new holistic model for primary care that gives physicians time to build relationships with their patients and one another. Through ACO REACH, full-risk delegated capitated Medicare Advantage Plans, and direct-to-employer value-based arrangements, they are able to engage their entire team in the innovation of their primary care model.  Furthermore, through partnerships they are able to share risk and build a pathway to sustainability in the provision of value-based care for decades to come. Joining us on the Race to Value this week is Donald Deep, M.D., the CEO of Central Ohio Primary Care.  In this episode, we discuss the modernization of primary care that is underway at COPC – including technology-enabled care efficiency, 24/7 access, care management, and post-discharge follow-up. We explore the successes of their Extensive Care Center and Comprehensive Home and Palliative Care programs.  There is also in-depth discussion on low value care, the importance of payer partnerships, direct-to-employer strategies for commercial populations, accessing capital partnerships in full-risk MA, and collaborative leadership for success in VBC. This episode is sponsored by Agilon Health, a company that partners with independent primary care practices that are leaders in their markets and helps them transition to value-based care success in the Medicare program. https://vimeo.com/870324462?share=copy Episode bookmarks: 01:30 Introduction to Donald Deep, M.D., the CEO of Central Ohio Primary Care (the largest physician-owned primary care group in the U.S.) 02:45 Referencing prior episode featuring Dr. Bill Wulf (“The Value Game”: Achieving Success with Capitated Risk and Patient-Centered Primary Care) 03:00 This week’s episode is brought to you by Agilon Health 04:30 COPC has directing 2,200 employees across 90 locations covering six counties and has been on a value journey since 2010. 05:30 The modernization of primary care at COPC. 06:30 Patient care coordination that includes technology-enabled care efficiency, 24/7 access, care management, and post-discharge follow-up. 07:30 “We are responsible for the care of our patient population, even outside of the exam room.” 07:45 Empowering PCPs to spend more time with patients and engage patients and families in the care process. 08:00 Addressing prevention and SDOH requires a modernized primary care model. 08:45 Extensive Care Center (ECC): A Novel Approach to Reducing Emergency Department Visits and Observation Unit Utilization 10:00 The Extensive Care Center at COPC returns 95% of patients to the home (ER Avoidance) and prevents 2-3 hospital admissions each week. 11:00 Scaling the ECC model in co-location with Same Day Centers at COPC to provide immediate access for emergent primary care needs.