Sequent Health Physician Partners’ first accountable care program
launched in January through a new collaboration with Cigna (NYSE: CI).
The aim is to improve health, affordability and the patient experience
for over 8,500 people who are covered by a Cigna health plan and receive
care through Sequent Health’s physician network.
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The initiative includes approximately 460 long-established local medical
providers, including over 125 primary care physicians and a wide range
of specialists, such as cardiologists, pulmonologists, oncologists,
neurologists and surgeons who practice with the clinically integrated
network. The parent company of Sequent Health Physician Partners is
Gwinnett Health System, which is also the parent company of Gwinnett
Medical Center.
Sequent’s collaboration with Cigna is part of a population health
initiative to improve the health outcomes of a group through better care
coordination and patient education. In places where it’s been
introduced, Cigna Collaborative Care is helping to improve
the health of Cigna customers while effectively managing medical costs
by helping to:
-
close gaps in care, such as missed health screenings or prescription
refills;
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reinforce the appropriate use of hospital emergency rooms;
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increase the number of preventive health visits; and,
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improve follow-up care for people transitioning from the hospital to
home.
“Among the many benefits of the program, it’s designed to minimize
barriers to health care,” said Manfred Sandler, cardiologist and Sequent
Health Physician Partners board chairman. “Additionally, care
coordinators help patients navigate the health care system, especially
those with chronic conditions or other health challenges.”
The care coordinators are part of physician-led care teams that will
help people get the follow-up care or screenings they need, identify
potential complications related to medications and help prevent chronic
conditions from worsening. The care coordinators are also aligned with a
team of Cigna case managers to ensure a high degree of collaboration
between the medical group and Cigna, which will ultimately provide a
better experience for the individual.
Care coordinators can also help individuals schedule appointments,
provide health education and refer people to Cigna's clinical support
programs that are part of their employer’s health plan.
"We're excited to expand our collaborative care program further in
Georgia and to be a preferred health plan for Sequent Health Physician
Partners as we work together to change health care,” said Robert
Hamilton, M.D., Cigna's regional medical executive for Georgia. "By
focusing on quality and value, instead of volume of services, this model
will ultimately lead to a healthier population and lower medical costs,
which is good for individuals, families, employers and doctors."
Cigna will compensate physicians who are part of the initiative for the
medical and care coordination services they provide. Additionally,
physicians may be rewarded through a “pay for value” structure for
meeting targets for improving quality and lowering medical costs.
Cigna has been at the forefront of the accountable care organization
movement since 2008 and now has 142 Cigna
Collaborative Care arrangements with large physician groups,
including six in Georgia. They span 29 states, reach more than 1.6
million commercial customers and encompass more than 65,000 doctors,
including approximately 32,000 primary care physicians and 33,000
specialists.
About Cigna
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 more than 90 million customer relationships
throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to
follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
About Sequent Health Physician Partners
Representing the next chapter of healthcare, Sequent Health Physician
Partners is a clinically integrated network that is organized, led and
managed by physicians. Supported by Gwinnett Health System, Sequent is
comprised of nearly 300 physicians and medical providers aligned to
collaborate on patient care. By instituting common goals including
patient outcomes, coordinated care and aligned performance metrics,
Sequent physicians work together to improve community health and reduce
the cost of care. For more information, visit sequentphysicians.com.
About Gwinnett Health System
Gwinnett Health System is the parent company of a number of healthcare
entities in Gwinnett County including Gwinnett Medical Center, Gwinnett
Medical Group and Sequent Health Physician Partners. Gwinnett Health
System employs 4,800 associates and has 800 affiliated physicians
serving more than 400,000 patients annually. To learn more, visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org.
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