CAHN Opening New Center in Chesterfield

June 22, 2012...The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Capital Area Health Network ( a federally qualified health center or FQHC) plans to open a community health center in the Bermuda District of Chesterfield County by the end of 2012.  CAHN received $441,667 in federal grants to open the center which treats both uninsured and insured patients and provides primary care, dental services and referrals for behavioral health and case management.  When fully staffed the center is projected to have 12 FTE's and provide 10 - 15 thousand patient visits annually. Click here to view the RTD article.

RAM Sponsors Clinically Integrated Organizations Webinar

In a June 20, 2012 webinar facilitated by the Richmond Academy of Medicine, Jacque Sokolov, MD with Scottsdale, AZ based SSB Solutions presented information regarding Clinically Integrated Organizations. He described how changing reimbursement methodologies

are resulting in projected changes in reimbursement to all health care providers as illustrated in different scenarios such as the one below.

Clearly the impact of these changes on all sectors of the $2.6 trillion health care industry will impact all providers in material ways.  Since a primary driver for these changes is the unsustainable growth in health care expenditures, the areas generating the majority of the cost to the system (revenue to the provider) i.e. health systems, hospitals, imaging providers, etc. have the most dollars to lose if cost savings are achieved.  Of particular interest was Dr. Sokolov's comments regarding the vital role physicians will play in this transformation and the steps that health systems and insurers are taking to capture/align themselves with physicians.

The Advisory Board Company Physican Practice Roundtable Recommendations

The Advisory Board Company is a “global research, technology and consulting firm helping hospital and university executives to better serve patients and students”.  In addition they have Physician Practice Roundtable unit designed to serve the independent physician market.  On June 1, 2012 this unit held their New Performance Standard Summit in Washington, DC.  At that meeting they presented a new definition of “High-Performance” based on the premise that it is a “question of time, not direction” that the downward trajectory of provider payment of providers and medical groups based on fee-for –service models is an ongoing trend and that successful medical groups must “ready their organizations for success under value-based payment models”.

The Advisory Board Company High Performance definition image

CIGNA & Bon Secours ACO initiative

CIGNA & Bon Secours ACO initiative

In an April 9, 2012 press release Bon Secours Medical Group and CIGNA (NYSE:CI) announced the launch of and 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. ... As part of the agreement, CIGNA will compensate Bon Secours physicians for medical services they provide as well as for the care coordination services" by clinical care coordinators. "Additionally, the practice may be rewarded through a ""pay for performance"" structure for improving quality and lowering medical costs" for 8,000 individuals covered by CIGNA health plan who receive care" from Bon Secours primary care physicians.  To see the press release click here.

Inagural Medical Practice Update post

WELCOME

Welcome to the Medical Practice Update blog.  This blog will provide updates on the issues facing medical practitioners.  The input for this blog will come from physicians, practice staff and business advisors actively working in medical practices.  If you would like recommend topics for discussion, please email us at MedicalPracticeUpdate@gmail.com.