A Regional Approach to Care Teams

Date: November 1, 2016

The US Family Health Plan offers many services and levels of support for its members, but having all those resources can be overwhelming. In response to this challenge, Johns Hopkins leaders have created a cross-functional, team-based approach to health care called Regional Care Teams (RCTs), which kicked off last February. The RCTs aim to streamline communication, enhance collaboration and speak with one voice, whether interacting with providers or members.

Each team includes representation from across the organization and is assigned to one of seven regions. Team members have clearly defined roles so that teams can provide a seamless experience to the member or provider. All are focused on member health in their respective region.

“Our most immediate goal is to help strengthen and support the relationship between patient and provider,” says Matthew Castner, the regional team administrator. 

For example, if a USFHP member is diagnosed with diabetes, the regional care team works together with the member’s doctors and specialists, as well as others at Johns Hopkins, to coordinate all of the treatment and administrative details to provide a better member experience.

Each Regional Care Team meets in person on a monthly basis to share key information and discuss new ways to improve. Members can see the results of the RCTs in a better customer experience with USFHP and in improved health.

“The Regional Care Teams are still very young, but I think we’ve made a lot of progress together, and I think the future looks even brighter,” says Castner. “Everyone here is passionate about helping, and the Regional Care Teams can really turn that passion into results for our members.”

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