Your 'Medical Home': Will Your Doctors Tussle For The Title?

Don't miss today's report from WBUR's Martha Bebinger on a Worcester community mental health center that aims to be considered its patients' "medical home." What's a medical home? Martha explains:

There is growing support in Massachusetts for making sure that every resident has a medical home, one doctor or center that would coordinate all their care. Supporters say this person would prevent duplicate tests, save money and help patients navigate the health care system.

and:

As the state moves to setting budgets for patients, your budget would go to the place you name as your medical home. The idea of established medical homes started with pediatricians in the late 1960s and was adopted by family doctors. These days in Massachusetts, many specialists say they should qualify as a medical home in the case of diabetics who see their endocrinologist on a regular basis or cardiac patients monitored by their cardiologist.

In other words, your doctors may soon be competing for the title of your "medical home," as well as tussling at the State House over ground rules on medical homes. Quips, anyone? Perhaps Robert Frost is relevant: "Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in."