HealthCare Partners and Cigna Start Accountable Care Program in Southern California to Improve Healt
HealthCare Partners and Cigna Start Accountable Care Program in Southern California to Improve Health Outcomes and Lower Costs
Consumers benefit from improved care coordination and greater emphasis on preventive care
Doctors are rewarded for improving patient health and lowering medical costs
Program includes a HealthCare Partners care coordination team including a registered nurse care manager aligned to Cigna case managers
BLOOMFIELD, Conn. & TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cigna (NYS: CI) and HealthCare Partners Medical Group in Southern California have launched a collaborative accountable care initiative to improve patient access to healthcare, enhance care coordination, and achieve the "triple aim" of improved health, affordability and patient experience. The program became effective April 1.
Collaborative accountable care is Cigna's approach to accomplishing the same population health goals as accountable care organizations, or ACOs. The program could benefit as many as 10,000 individuals covered by a Cigna health plan who receive care from among some 1,200 HealthCare Partners primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. HealthCare Partners medical clinics and primary and specialty care affiliated physicians are located in the Greater Los Angeles Metro area including the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley, South Bay, Long Beach and Orange County.
"HealthCare Partners works every day to improve patient health, and Cigna's focus on prevention and improving health care quality makes them a strong organization for us to work with to achieve the 'triple aim,'" said Tom Paulsen, M.D., executive medical director, HealthCare Partners Medical Group. "HealthCare Partners applies best practices in patient care and has continued to improve clinical quality metrics for patients seen by our employed and independently affiliated physicians while bending the cost curve."
Under the program, patients continue to go to their current physician and care team and benefit from preventive care programs and disease management programs. HealthCare Partners monitors and coordinates all aspects of a patient's medical care. Patients most likely to see immediate benefits from the program are those actively engaged with their care teams and those who need help managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Critical to the program's benefits is HealthCare Partners' coordinated care model supported by a wide array of resources. The HealthCare Partners care management team is aligned to a team of Cigna case managers to ensure a high degree of collaboration when needed. All aimed at improving the health of the individual, HealthCare Partners clinical programs include disease management programs for diabetes, heart disease and other conditions or lifestyle management programs, such as programs for tobacco cessation, weight management and stress management. Together the collaboration will reduce potential gaps in care such as patients not refilling prescription drugs or patients overdue for health screenings and immunizations.
"Our goal is to change the U.S. health care system from one that pays for the volume of care provided to one that emphasizes the quality and results of that care," said Gene Rapisardi, president and general manager for Cigna in Southern California. "We believe this change will lead to better health, lower costs and increased satisfaction for both patients and their doctors."
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 is now engaged in nearly 60 collaborative accountable care initiatives in 24 states, encompassing more than 650,000 Cigna customers and more than 23,000 doctors, including more than 11,000 primary care physicians and more than 11,500 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.
About HealthCare Partners
HealthCare Partners, LLC, a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of DaVita HealthCare Partners, has operations in California, Nevada, Florida, and New Mexico. HealthCare Partners manages and operates medical groups and affiliated physician networks nationally in its pursuit of excellent quality healthcare delivered in a dignified and compassionate manner. HealthCare Partners operates HealthCare Partners Affiliates Medical Group (California), HealthCare Partners of Nevada, JSA Healthcare Corporation (Florida), ABQ Health Partners (NM), The Camden Group (a national consulting firm), and the HealthCare Partners Institute for Applied Research and Education. HealthCare Partners cares for more than 750,000 patients in four states. For more information, please visit www.healthcarepartners.com.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYS: 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 78 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
Cigna
Amy Turkington, 440-934-5385
amy.turkington@cigna.com
or
HealthCare Partners
Robert Klein, 310-630-4126
rklein@healthcarepartners.com
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