Palmetto Health - Richland Care

What is it?

Richland County had an abundance of health resources for the uninsured and medically underserved; but, according to community leaders, a coordinated care system could bring about more appropriate utilization of those services. Richland Care established a coordinated health care delivery system for low-income, uninsured residents of Richland County. By establishing medical homes for eligible participants, primary care providers can manage patient care and direct them to the most appropriate services.

Richland Care incorporated access to prescription drugs, case management services for select patients, a 24-hour nurse call line, and health education elements. The most distinct aspect of Richland Care is the inclusion of specialty services, which came about when specialty groups agreed to a capitation-like per-member, per-month payment mechanism couple with a $20 co-payment from patients. Originally funded by the Health Resources Services Administration and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Palmetto Health and other providers and foundations now underwrite the program, which improves the health status of the uninsured.

Who is it for?

Low-income, uninsured residents of Richland County.

Why do they do it?

The coordination of services inherent in the medical home model has resulted in a direct benefit to Palmetto Health through cost avoidance and decreased utilization. During the first 34 months of operation, there was a 55 percent reduction in emergency department usage and a 70 percent decrease in hospitalizations among Richland Care patients, compared with the prior two years. During the 2004-2005 fiscal year, net savings were estimated to be nearly $2.9 million. About 37 percent of eligible county residents participated in the program in 2006. Of those, 749 received contracted specialty services.

Contact: Marcus Barnes
Director, Richland Care
Telephone: 803-296-2251
E-mail: Marcus.Barnes@palmettohealth.org