Improved health care quality and reduced cost are program goals
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Allina Hospitals & Clinics has been selected through a competitive process to participate in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program. “Allina’s goal is to lead a transformation that will result in better care for individual patients, better health for our communities and affordable care for all,” said Penny Wheeler, MD, Allina chief clinical officer.
Allina provides health care for approximately one third of the population living in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Allina President and Chief Executive Officer Ken Paulus said Allina’s commitment to care improvement, its primary care team, integrated electronic health record and relationships with employed and affiliated specialty providers puts the organization in a leadership position nationally.
The Pioneer model of accountable care aligns payment with quality and value, rather than paying solely for the volume of services. This CMS program is for health care systems across the country that are the most integrated and that are ready to accept accountability for the well-being of the communities they serve. The key to this work is increasing quality, improving the patient experience, and lowering the cost of care.
Doctors will use data from Medicare to help improve how they provide care. For example, a doctor will get a patient’s medical information from Medicare to help them to know that patient’s medical history, including his or her medical conditions, prescriptions, and visits to the doctor, to ensure the patient gets the right care at the right time in the right setting. Beneficiaries (patients) may choose to opt-out of data sharing.
“Allina is proud to be one of the pioneer organizations that is focused on providing a lifetime of wellness and care for our patients,” Wheeler said. “This is an exciting time for Allina and for those systems that have been invited to participate in the Pioneer ACO program and other new models that will reward better and more affordable care.”
In this phase of the program, approximately 15,000 Medicare patients of Allina Medical Clinic and Aspen Medical Group, which is owned by Allina, will become patients of the ACO. CMS will provide Medicare claims information to Allina about these patients that will allow Allina to more effectively coordinate their care.
About Allina Hospitals & Clinics
Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services, providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Allina owns and operates 11 hospitals, more than 90 clinics, and health care services, including home care, hospice and palliative care, oxygen and medical equipment, pharmacies and emergency medical transportation. More about Allina and the latest health information can be found online at allina.com.
About CMS Pioneer ACO
An ACO is a group of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers who work together to provide you with better, more coordinated care.
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Visit http://www.innovations.cms.gov/initiatives/aco/pioneer/index.html for more information.
CONTACT:
Allina Hospitals & Clinics
David Kanihan, 612-262-4986
[email protected]
Cell: 612-867-2845
KEYWORDS: United States North America Minnesota
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Hospitals
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