HealthCare Partners Medical Group recognized for innovation

HealthCare Partners Medical Group is among 32 health care organizations participating in a new Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) initiative, designed to reward early adopters of coordinated health care models.

The program, administered by the CMS Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, aims to foster collaboration among primary care physicians, hospitals, and other health care professionals to improve care for Medicare patients. The department estimates it could save $1.1 billion across five years.

HealthCare Partners Managing Partner and CEO Robert Margolis, MD, was the featured speaker at the 3rd Annual Dr. Philip Pumerantz Distinguished Lectureship at Western University of Health Sciences Nov. 3, 2011.

His lecture topic, “The Future of Health Care Delivery: A Physician’s Perspective,” reflects the forward-thinking vision of the Pioneer ACO program, which will test the effectiveness of innovative payment models and how they help organizations improve care quality, reduce costs and coordinate services with private payers. The first performance period began on Jan. 1, 2012.

The 32 Pioneer ACOs underwent a rigorous evaluation—including a comprehensive review of applications and in-person interviews—and represent 18 states and various types of health care organizations, including physician-led organizations and health systems, and urban and rural organizations.

According to U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, “Pioneer ACOs are leaders in our work to provide better care and reduce health care costs. We are excited that so many innovative systems are participating in this exciting initiative—and there are many other ways that health care providers can get involved and help improve care for patients.”

Click here to read an HHS release.