Cigna and HealthTexas Provider Network (HTPN) Expand Accountable Care in North Texas
<0> CignaMark Slitt, 860-226-2092orHealthTexas Provider NetworkPam Zippi, 972-860-8661 </0>
Cigna (NYSE: CI) and (HTPN),a large physician group in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex that is affiliated with Baylor Health Care System, have expanded their initiative to include additional HTPN doctors and clinic locations. When the program was launched in April 2012, 91 HTPN physicians at 12 clinics participated. In April 2013, 114 more physicians at 35 additional clinics signed on to participate in the program.
“We’re delighted that HTPN expanded its participation. It’s a great vote of confidence in Cigna's collaborative accountable care program, and also great news for Cigna customers in the Metroplex who now receive care from HTPN doctors or who will choose an HTPN doctor in the future,” said LaMonte Thomas, president and general manager for Cigna in North Texas. “For Cigna's North Texas customers, this expansion broadens their access to health care that is better coordinated and that is focused on prevention and wellness.”
"We are delighted to collaborate with Cigna in this initiative that brings more resources to our patients. Adding nurse care coordinators to our team approach to health care expands our ability to optimally serve patients," said F. David Winter, M.D., MSc, MACP, president, HTPN.
The focus of collaborative accountable care is achieving the “” of , and Collaborative accountable care is Cigna's approach to accomplishing the same population health goals as , or s.
HTPN monitors and coordinates all aspects of an individual’s medical care. Critical to the program’s benefits are registered nurses, employed by HTPN, who serve as clinical care coordinators and help patients with chronic conditions or other health challenges navigate the health care system. The care coordinators enhance care by using patient-specific data provided by Cigna to identify patients being discharged from the hospital who might be at-risk for readmission, as well as patients who may be overdue for important health screenings or who may have skipped a prescription refill. The care coordinators contact these individuals to help them get the follow-up care or screenings they need, identify any issues related to medications and help prevent chronic conditions from worsening.
The care coordinators also help patients schedule appointments, provide health education and refer patients to Cigna's clinical programs, such as disease management programs for diabetes, heart disease and other conditions; and lifestyle management programs, such as programs for tobacco cessation, weight management and stress management.
Cigna compensates HTPN physicians for the medical and care coordination services they provide. Additionally, HTPN may be rewarded through a “pay for value” structure if it meets targets for improving quality and lowering medical costs.
The principles of the patient-centered medical home are the foundation of Cigna's collaborative accountable care initiatives. Cigna then builds on that foundation with a strong focus on collaboration and communication with physician practices. Cigna has in 26 states, encompassing more than 700,000 commercial customers and more than 27,000 doctors, including more than 12,500 primary care physicians and nearly 14,500 specialists. Cigna launched its first collaborative accountable care program in 2008 and its goal is to have 100 of them in place with one million customers in 2014.
Collaborative accountable care is one component of the company’s approach to physician engagement for health improvement, which also includes Cigna-HealthSpring’s care model for Medicare customers. Taken together, these 231 programs in 31 states reach more than one million customers and have nearly 55,000 participating doctors, including nearly 19,000 primary care physicians and nearly 36,000 specialists.
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has approximately 80 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit .
HealthTexas Provider Network (HTPN) was founded in 1994 with a mission to achieve excellence in the delivery of accessible, cost-effective, quality health care, and demonstrated customer satisfaction that delivers value to patients, payers, and the community. We are a multi-specialty, physician-led, patient-centered organization with over 700 providers practicing in 209 locations. HTPN reported $615 million in gross revenue in FY12 (expected to reach $750 million FY13) with patient visits surpassing 1.9 million. Our physician-led committees take action to implement multiple transformation activities that contribute to developing a value-driven health system by redesigning care models (better managing chronic disease, improving care coordination, and providing access to appropriate care), increasing transparency and shifting reimbursement.
Baylor Health Care System is a not-for-profit, faith-based supporting organization providing services to a network of acute care hospitals and related health care entities that provide patient care, medical education, research and community service. Baylor recorded more than 2.8 million patient encounters, $4.1 billion in total operating revenue, $5.3 billion in total assets and $539 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2012 (as reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services). Baylor’s network of more than 360 access points includes 30 owned/operated/ ventured/affiliated hospitals; joint ventured ambulatory surgical centers; satellite outpatient locations; senior centers and more than 190 HealthTexas Provider Network physician clinics.