In an effort to improve care for Marylanders, and also cut costs, state officials are launching a pilot program that aims to involves 200 primary care doctors and 200,000 patients.

Called the Patient Centered Medical Home program, it will give incentives to doctors to spend more time with patients, coordinate their care across the health care system and promote prevention and wellness, according to Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, who co-chairs the panel inplementing health reform in Maryland and has been working on changes to the state's system of care.

The pilot is the result of legislation passed by the state legislature this year and is based on programs already running throughout the nation that report high patient and provider satisfaction.

The doctors will offer enhanced access, expanded hours and telephone and email communications. The goal of the prevention emphasis is improved quality of care and fewer emergency department visits and expensive hospitalizations.

The primary care providers will receive a fee from participating insurers for each patient to cover the extra care, in addition to their regular fee-for-service payments, and they will have a chance for additional compensation if there are savings from improved health.

Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary John M. Colmers said the three-year program will help change the way care is delivered.

It will launch in January 2011. Members of the Maryland Health Care Commission have begun talking to doctors about participating. Patients can talk to their doctors about signing up their practices.

For more information, go to the PCMH Pilot website  or send an email to:pcmhpractices@mhcc.state.md.us.