Cigna, Texas Health Resources and Texas Health Physicians Group (THPG) 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, effective January 1, 2014 is Cigna's fifth accountable care initiative in North Texas. The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to enhance the overall well-being of the population through a coordinated approach to all aspects of health.
This collaborative approach is aimed at accomplishing the same population health goals as accountable care organizations (ACOs). It will benefit more than 17,000 individuals covered by a Cigna health plan who receive care from approximately 250 THPG primary care physicians.
Under the program, THPG physicians will monitor and coordinate all aspects of an individual’s medical care to proactively manage interventions and improve overall well-being. Critical to the program’s benefits are care coordinators who help patients with chronic conditions or other health challenges navigate the health care system. The care coordinators are aligned with a team of Cigna case managers to ensure a high degree of collaboration between the physicians and Cigna; this will ultimately provide a better experience for the individual.
Cigna will compensate the physician groups for the medical and care coordination services they provide. Additionally, the medical groups may be rewarded through a “pay for performance” structure if they meet targets for improving quality and lowering medical costs.
