Tenet, Cigna sign multiyear deal
Tenet Healthcare and Cigna have entered into a multiyear agreement that allows Cigna’s members “uninterrupted” access to Tenet’s provider network.
Tenet facilities will also be in-network for members of Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans.
Tenet CEO Ron Rittenmeyer said the deal reflects the health system’s commitment to compassionate care.
“We believe this is the right outcome for our patients, employees and communities, and we look forward to continuing to serve Cigna members around the country today and in years to come,” he said. (Announcement)
Optum wins VA Community Care Network contracts
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded contracts to manage provider networks for its new Community Care Network, the standard contract vehicle allowing VA to purchase care for Veterans from community healthcare providers under the VA Mission Act passed earlier this year.
Contracts were awarded to Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc. for regions 1, 2 and 3, which make up the entire eastern half of the U.S. including the midwest, mid-Atlantic and southern states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“These contract awards reflect our ongoing commitment to increasing Veterans’ access to care,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie in a statement. “As part of VA’s modernization efforts, we designed the new network based on feedback from Veterans and other stakeholders, along with lessons learned from the Veterans Choic program."
The VA will provide care coordination under this new contract. TriWest Healthcare Alliance has expanded its network to support Veteran and provider care coordination across the nation until CCN is fully implemented.
The contract award for Region 4, which includes the western part of the U.S. is expected by early April 2019. Contract award for Regions 5 and 6 are expected by end of calendar year 2019. (Release)
Value-based care makes up nearly half of top insurers' business
The Health Care Transformation Task Force—a group of healthcare payers, providers, purchasers and patient organizations—said nearly half (47%) of their members business was tied up in value-based models by the end of 2017.
The task force, which includes members such as Aetna and Anthem, has committed to reaching a mark of 75% of their business operating under value-based payment arrangements by the end of 2020. (Report)