A clinic in Des Moines, Iowa, is testing a new model of care — one in which the payer employs the provider.
The CareMore clinic, owned by insurer Amerigroup, is designed to serve some of central Iowa's poorest populations, according to a report in The Des Moines Register.
Amerigroup is one of three companies hired by the state to run its Medicaid program. The other two companies, Amerihealth Caritas and UnitedHealthcare, plan to launch less extensive versions of what Amerigroup has done with the CareMore clinic, according to the report. Through the clinic, Amerigroup hires physicians, nurses and other professionals in an attempt to improve access for Medicaid patients.
Some are wary of the model, saying it could lead CareMore providers to limit healthcare services in order to save Amerigroup money, according to the report. However, patients and providers interviewed by The Des Moines Register said the clinic seems to have good motives. Plus, patients are free to go to other physicians outside of the clinic that accept Amerigroup's Medicaid plan, according to the report.
The CareMore clinic has been open since April and has served 400 patients, according to The Des Moines Register.
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