Montefiore Makes Strides in Diabetes Care

While New York’s diabetes epidemic continues to hamper the lives of millions of residents, there are signs that some providers are beginning to turn the tide against the disease. Montefiore Medical Center and its physicians are one such example.

With support from the NYSHealth Diabetes Campaign, Montefiore created a program that provided its physicians with incentive bonuses for meeting certain benchmarks around blood sugar and LDL cholesterol levels.

Using Montefiore’s electronic medical record system, the health system’s 118 physicians were able to closely monitor each patient’s condition, prescribe appropriate treatment, and intervene when necessary. By emphasizing these areas, Montefiore believed it could provide a better quality of care, rather than just more care.

After two years, Montefiore’s emphasis is paying off.

Of those 3,500 people with diabetes in the program, only 14% have high blood sugar levels compared to 45% of people with diabetes enrolled in Medicaid and 23% of those who participate in commercial health plans. Additionally, 63% of Montefiore’s patients had LDL cholesterol levels below 100, versus 34% in Medicaid and 46% in commercial health plans. And, Montefiore expects these numbers to continue improving.

These numbers are a major accomplishment. Montefiore’s patients with diabetes are now at a much lower risk for diabetes-related complications—like heart disease, kidney failure or strokes—thanks to the focus on diabetes care by Montefiore’s providers.

In recognition of that impact, all 118 of Montefiore’s physicians at its 22 outpatient medical centers were recently recognized through Bridges to Excellence’s Diabetes Care Recognition Program and presented with certificates from the NYSHealth Diabetes Campaign. The recognition, in addition to enhancing Montefiore’s reputation for diabetes care in the State, will also qualify its physicians for additional quality care incentives from commercial health plans.

When the Foundation launched its New York State Diabetes Campaign two years ago, it set an ambitious goal of helping 3,000 providers statewide earn the Bridges to Excellence and National Committee for Quality Assurance diabetes recognitions within five years. Montefiore and its 118 physicians are a shining example of how a major system can attain these prestigious recognitions.

NYSHealth hopes to see more primary care physicians and medical centers achieve this level of excellence in diabetes care.