Cigna and Novant Health, an integrated system of hospitals and physician practices, have launched a collaborative accountable care initiative to improve patient access to health care, enhance care coordination, and achieve the “triple aim” of improved health, affordability and patient experience. The program was effective April 1, 2013.
Collaborative accountable care (CAC) is Cigna's approach to accomplishing the same population health goals asaccountable care organizations, or ACOs. The program will benefit more than 60,000 individuals covered by a Cigna health plan who receive care from a Novant Health physician in communities throughout the Carolinas, making it Cigna's largest CAC nationally. The program with Novant Health is Cigna's fourth such collaboration in the Carolinas.
Under the program, Novant Health monitors and coordinates all aspects of an individual’s medical care. Patients continue to go to their current physician and automatically receive the benefits of the program. In addition, many patients using Novant Medical Group physicians will be managed using the EPIC electronic medical record system installed in practices, as well as have access to My Chart, an electronic patient access tool that enables patients to communicate with their care team and review medical records online.
Cigna will compensate physicians for the medical and care coordination services it provides. Additionally, the medical group may be rewarded through a “pay for performance” structure if it meets targets for improving quality and lowering medical costs
