Maryland nonprofit, health clinic team up to tackle unnecessary care

A Maryland nonprofit and a Baltimore federally qualified health center have launched a joint effort to coordinate primary care services and reduce unnecessary hospital use.

HealthCare Access Maryland and Family Health Centers of Baltimore (FHCB) said in an annoucement they have joined forces to create HealthLink, a project funded by the state Community Health Resources Commission. The project aims to cut unnecessary care by connecting patients with chronic conditions who have not visited a primary care provider in the last year with primary care resources. The program will specifically target patients who use emergency departments rather than primary care for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma.

The program's ultimate goals are to improve patient experience and increase the health coverage rates among FHCB patients while improving their clinical outcomes, as well as increase those patients' use of primary care services and reduce their use of EDs. The staff will take a patient-centered approach that factors in the unique needs of a high-risk patient population, including working outside traditional hours, making home visits and providing support to patients for up to six months. Announcement