Cigna and the Cumberland Center for Healthcare Innovation (CCHI) ACO 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.
Collaborative accountable care is Cigna's approach to accomplishing the same population health goals as accountable care organizations, or ACOs. The program, which took effect January 1, 2014, will benefit more than 2,900 individuals covered by a Cigna health plan who receive care from among independent physician practices, located primarily in Cookeville and nearby areas of Middle Tennessee, that are part of CCHI.
Under the program, CCHI physicians will monitor and coordinate all aspects of an individual’s medical care. Patients most likely to see the immediate benefits of the program are those who need help managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Critical to the program’s success are registered nurses, affiliated with CCHI and its physician practices, who serve as clinical care coordinators and 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 physician practices and Cigna, which will ultimately provide a better experience for the individual.
Cigna will compensate CCHI physicians for the medical and care coordination services they provide. Additionally, doctors may be rewarded through a “pay for value” structure for meeting or exceeding targets for improving quality and lowering medical costs.
