"First in Health" Helps Coordinate Services

A health-provider system that has worked well for Medicaid recipients will soon be available for state employees and big business.  It’s called “First in Health.” 

“First in Health” is born out of a Medicaid program that supports a team approach to health care.  It’s where you have specialists, primary care physicians, pharmacists and others coordinating services.  Doctor Allen Dobson is president of Community Care of North Carolina.  He says private employers are now saying – this can work for us.

Dr. Allen Dobson:  "It also is not changing their health benefit or their insurer, it is a value-added program on top of your basic health benefit."

Glaxo Smith Kline is one of the “First in Health” partners. Its 10,000 employees are eligible for the program starting in January 2012.