Innovative model uses a new brand of specialist to target the high-risk chronically ill.

Some patients simply can't be taken care of in your typical 15-minute office visit. That's why a Houston-based organization developed a new model--and a new specialist--to deal with the growing number of patients affected by multiple diagnoses and other factors putting them at high risk for hospital utilization. With early success, the approach has now attracted the attention of Medicare and other insurers.