Neponset Health Center receives national recognition

Neponset Health Center receives national recognition

The Geiger Gibson Community Health Center, the Mid Upper Community Health Center and the Neponset Health Center have been awarded Recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Physician Practice Connections® (PPC) — Patient-Centered Medical Home ™ (PCMH) Program.

It took the health centers over one year to complete a detailed application to NCQA resulting in receiving the highest level of recognition for a PPC-PCMH — called Level 3. The Patient Centered Medical Home standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement. The 17 physicians and 16 nurse practitioners working at the health centers are among a handful of providers in the state to receive this recognition.

The three health conditions that were chosen as a part of the evaluation by NCQA were diabetes, asthma and pediatric care. 

“The patient-centered medical home promises to improve health and health care,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “The active, ongoing relationship between a patient and a physician in medical homes fosters an all-too-rare goal in care: staying healthy and preventing illness in the first place. PPC PCMH Recognition shows that the Geiger Gibson Community Health Center, the Mid Upper Community Health Center and the Neponset Health Center have the tools, systems and resources to provide their patients with the right care at the right time.”

The health centers were assisted in reaching this goal by participating in a national demonstration project called the Safety Net Medical Home Initiative (SNMHI) sponsored by The Commonwealth Fund and administered by Qualis Health in partnership with the MacColl Institute for Healthcare Innovation.  The Initiative also receives support from eight regional co-funders, including The Boston Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Partners Community Benefit Fund and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

UMass president: Student fees may increase

University of Massachusetts President Jack Wilson says the university is facing a $54.5 million budget gap for the next fiscal year and student fees may be raised to close it.

Wilson said last Thursday he anticipates a 2 to 3 percent increase in student fees to cover inflation, but a decision on anything beyond that depends on the legislative budget process. He expects a firm announcement on fees by early June.

The Republican of Springfield reports that Wilson was a key speaker at a Statehouse meeting to organize a new caucus of legislators to promote public higher education and work for more state support.

Gov. Deval Patrick has proposed a $429 million budget for the five-campus system for the fiscal year that starts July 1. That’s the same as this year.

Material from the Associated Press and news releases contributed to this report.