PMA Medical Specialists Collaborates with Patients and Families to Enhance their Commitment to Primary Care

PFAC Council Members

PMA Medical Specialists launched a new initiative this summer as part of their CPC+ Partnership – Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). PMA was selected early 2018 to participate in Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+). The PFAC, comprised of patients and family members of patients, in addition to PMA Physicians, Providers, and staff meet on a quarterly basis. Members of the council are encouraged to provide honest feedback and observations regarding the PMA Patient Experience and how to improve it. Discussions have included how to improve patient safety, appointment availability, patient portal usage, service excellence, communications, patient education and much more. 

 “The council is far more than a focus group; focus groups are ‘a once and done’ way of gathering data. Our PFAC is expected to evolve as we move forward and delve into additional topics,” said Timothy Rimmer, CEO of PMA Medical Specialists. “I’ve attended a few of the meetings and have found them very informative. We feel an open dialogue offers council members the opportunity to help us improve our patient-centered care model. Our pledge to patients and the communities we serve is to continually improve every patient encounter, every step of the way. Our mantra is Patients Matter Always.”

The foundation of the CPC+ partnership is to improve access to quality healthcare at lower costs. In addition to the PFAC, PMA has cultivated a topnotch Chronic Care Management Team for Medicare patients with multiple chronic conditions, who might benefit from a more “hands on” approach. The practice has also recently expanded their patient hours and now offer appointments on Saturdays from 8am until Noon at their Phoenixville MOB II location. PMA also reminds patients to “Call Us First.” This effort invites current patients to call PMA first for non-life-threatening emergencies.  Calls will be answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and a staff member will help the caller determine if an ER or Urgent Care visit is necessary.  In doing so, they hope to help patients avoid the higher medical expenses, longer wait times, and exposure to more serious illnesses that an ER visit can entail.

About PMA Medical Specialists

PMA Medical Specialists is a multi-specialty Physicians Network that understands the importance of providing patients with Continuous Coordinated Healthcare. We are committed to meeting the healthcare needs of our patients by offering a wide-range of medical specialties and patient services to help you stay healthy.

PMA Medical Specialists has office locations throughout Montgomery and Chester counties. Visit pmadoctor.com for a complete list of locations and specialties.

Home Health Care and Care Management

The Chronic Care Management team assists in building a team-based approach with the Physician, Home Health Agency, Patient and Family. We strongly encourage self-management skills and assist in goal setting to help the patient manage their condition.  

Our Home Health Care goals are to: 

• increase the patient’s quality of life.
• decrease Hospital and Emergency Department visits
• decrease medical expenses

Care Management Services

Care Management team members work very closely with local Home Health Agencies when patients are found to be in need of services. Services include, but are not limited to: Nursing Services, Physical & Occupational Therapy Services, Wound Care Services, Social Work Services, and overall monitoring of health status.

We look at the following criteria when providing patients information on Home Health Agencies to select from:

1. Are they able to keep patients at home versus sending them to a hospital
2. What is the patient spend (cost to the patient)?
3. Are they known for excellent patient quality based on Medicare Star ratings?
4. How are they at communicating with the Chronic Care Management team members and physician’s office?

When do we recommend Home Health Care?

1. After a recent hospitalization, rehab stay
2. Recent medication changes or misunderstanding of medications
3. Overall decline in function
4. Patient assessment finds the need for Home Health Care (some examples are: recurrent falls, dementia/confusion, limited mobility, weakness that limits the ability to safely ambulate long distances beyond the home)

Home Health Agencies work with our Care Managers on a regular basis and communicate their findings directly to the Care Manager who will then address the need/issue in a timely fashion.

If you feel that you or your loved one meet any of the above recommendations or would like more information, feel free to reach out a member of the Care Management Team or speak with your Physician today!