New Medicare System Being Tested at St. John's

The way millions of Americans get their healthcare could be changing and it's to a system that's being tested out at a Springfield hospital.

Saint Johns Health Systems is one of ten facilities around the United States working on ways to improve the quality and efficiency of the Medicare system.

The organization that oversees the health insurance program for people 65 and older as well as some people with disabilities says it’s in need of changes especially with rising medical costs and the number of patients.

Saint Johns is currently in its third year of the study, but the results from the first year came out on Wednesday.

They say Saint Johns new method of care for chronically ill patients actually saved money.

Saint Johns doctors and nurses spent more time educating patients on their conditions which often prevented major health problems.

"We have not cut services,” said Dr. J.T. Rogers, ST. John’s Clinic Primary Care Department chair.  “On the contrary, we've increased and enhanced services, more communication and more emphasis on sick patients who need it most."

The new system uses a web-based registry that helps physicians track and plan patient care.