Cigna and Northeast Medical Group (NEMG), a physician group affiliated with Yale New Haven Health, have a collaborative care initiative to improve patient access to health care, enhance care coordination, and achieve the goal of improved health, affordability and patient experience. Cigna Collaborative Care is the company’s approach to accomplishing the same population health goals as accountable care organizations, or ACOs. The program will benefit nearly 6,000 individuals covered by a Cigna health plan who receive care from approximately 120 NEMG primary care doctors and specialists.
Under the program, Northeast Medical Group will monitor and coordinate all aspects of an individual’s medical care. Patients will continue to go to their current NEMG physician and automatically receive the benefits of the program. Individuals who are enrolled in a Cigna health plan and later choose to seek care from an NEMG doctor will also have access to the benefits of the program. There 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, heart disease and obesity.
Cigna will compensate NEMG for the medical and care coordination services it provides. Additionally, the physician group may be rewarded through a “pay for value” structure if it meets targets for improving quality and lowering medical costs.
