Courtesy CDCHP
By Andrea Harwood Palmer
CDPHP is acting as partner facilitator for a new multi-practice medical specialty complex located at 1785 Route 9 in Clifton Park.
“CDPHP, in partnership with a number of independent physical practices, is building what we consider to be the medical park of the future,” said Ali Skinner, CDPHP vice president of strategic communications. “The goal is to provide the ultimate patient experience in a state-of-the-art complex.”
Though April groundbreaking plans were delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis, the plan remains for the facility to open in late 2021.
Some ancillary services being considered are valet parking, a meditation room, an in-house pharmacy, a café and a centralized check-in area regardless of which practice someone is coming to see.
“We’re focusing on enhancing the patient experience with all the bells and whistles you get when you go into a non-medical facility. What are all those things a consumer wants and needs, and what does that look like when they go into a doctor’s office?” said Skinner.
The insurance company utilized focus groups and members of its Member Advisory Committee to brainstorm things that consumers wanted to see. Topics included childcare, the ability to obtain meals, and an in-house pharmacy.
“It’s pretty cool because we assumed we knew what people wanted, but our committee gave us lots of ideas in terms of what they thought would make this better. We listened,” said Skinner.
CDPHP will provide back office support for the in-house practitioners, including medical billing and integrated claims systems.
“The key here is doing it in partnership with independent practices. We’re helping independent practices remain independent.”
Practices currently involved in the project are Albany ENT & Allergy, Albany Gastroenterology, Capital Cardiology, Capital District Renal and Ortho NY.
CDPHP was founded in 1984 by a large group of doctors in the capital region. The common goal was to protect the field of medicine and ensure that doctors were able to stay independent, practicing the way they wanted to practice.
“Practicing doctors in our community work alongside CDPHP to help with the direction of the company and facilitate partnership. We are founded and guided by physicians, and we incentivize them to provide quality care. This independent specialty practice is another extension of that,” said Skinner.