Cigna and the Bon Secours Medical Group, the physician practice group of Bon Secours Virginia Health System, have launched an accountable care initiative to expand patient access to health care, improve care coordination, and achieve the “triple aim” of improving health outcomes, lowering medical costs and increasing patient satisfaction. Known as collaborative accountable care, the program is Cigna's approach to accomplishing the same population health goals as accountable care organizations, or ACOs
Cigna's collaboration with Bon Secours is thought to be the first patient-centered accountable care program to operate in the Richmond area. For its role in the collaboration, Bon Secours Medical Group will monitor and coordinate all aspects of an individual's medical care. Patients will continue to go to their current physician and will receive program benefits at no additional cost. There also are no changes in any plan requirements regarding referrals to specialists. Patients most likely to see the immediate benefits of the program are those who need help managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Critical to the program's benefits are clinical care coordinators -- all registered nurses, employed by Bon Secours, who will help patients navigate the health care system. The care coordinators will enhance care by using patient-specific data, provided by Cigna, to identify patients being discharged from the hospital who might be at risk for readmission, as well as patients who may be overdue for important health screenings or who may have skipped a prescription refill. The care coordinators will work with the patient's physicians to help patients get the follow-up care or screenings they need and identify any issues related to medications. The care coordinators will also help patients schedule appointments, provide health education and, when appropriate, refer patients to Cigna's clinical programs, such as disease management programs for diabetes, heart disease and other conditions; and lifestyle management programs.
As part of the agreement, Cigna will compensate Bon Secours physicians for the medical services they provide as well as for the care coordination services. Additionally, the practice may be rewarded through a “pay for performance” structure if it meets targets for improving quality and lowering medical costs.
