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Pilot Health Care Program Focuses On Prevention

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Maryland is expected to join a pilot program in health care delivery that emphasizes prevention and wellness.

The program includes 200 doctors and 200,000 patients, offers patient-centered medical homes. It will test whether such practices can improve primary care, particularly among the chronically ill.

Doctors who take part will develop disease management plans; closely track prescriptions and visits to specialists; offer extended hours and same-day appointments.

UniversityCare in Edmondson Village, a family practice in West Baltimore, says it was the first in Baltimore to gain recognition as a patient home from a national standards-setting organization.

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown will announce participating medical practices in January.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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