NSHC Transitions to Team-Based Care

Dear Norton Sound Health Corporation Patients,

NSHC is excited to announce a transition to team-based care as part of its Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model in Primary Care. As a PCMH provider, NSHC strives to facilitate partnerships between individual patients, their primary care provider, and, when appropriate, the patient’s family.

An essential element of patient-centered care involves creating care teams to offer patients consistent relationships with their health care providers. Health care managed within a team allows for greater continuity of care and helps improve communication.

Each care team is made up of medical staff, community health aides, nurses, case managers, schedulers/clinic travel clerks, behavioral health providers, nutritionists, pharmacists, laboratory staff, social services providers, and many other supporting staff members. The three different care teams are called Mountain, Tundra and River. Mountain and Tundra teams serve Nome and the northern Bering Strait region villages. The River team serves the Unalakleet Sub-Regional Clinic and villages in the southern region.

If you are from a village community: patients belong on care teams based on the physician and mid-level providers who serve their particular community. Patients from the villages are enrolled in the Mountain, Tundra or River care team, and they will note that their provider is not the only one listed among their team’s members. If patients are ever at the Norton Sound Regional Hospital and their provider is unavailable, they are encouraged to see other providers on their team. These teammates will work with the same nurses and case managers as the original provider and will have an established relationship that will result in more efficient care.

If you are from Nome: patients are empaneled to either the Mountain or Tundra care teams. Patients can choose their team based on the physician or mid-level provider they prefer most. If the preferred provider is not available when needed, patients are encouraged to see other providers on their team. These teammates will work with the same nurses and case managers as the preferred provider and will have an established relationship that will result in more efficient care.

Patients in Nome can request their team choice by March 15, 2019. Patients do not have to worry if they don’t make a choice, NSHC will match them to a team, and they will continue to receive outstanding care from a designated medical provider. Once team empanelments are finalized, NSHC will send a letter in the mail updating each patient about the care team in which they have been assigned. NSHC will also include information regarding how to change teams if patients choose.

Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have questions about this process. You may reach the Nome Primary Care Clinic by calling 907-443-3333 Monday-Friday during regular business hours.