CoxHealth saves Medicare more than $2 million while improving care

CoxHealth’s Next Generation Accountable Care Organization (ACO) has been recognized for saving more than $2 million dollars in their first performance year.

ACOs are groups of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers that come together to provide coordinated, high-quality care to their Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries. Through these efforts, ACOs seek to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs to Medicare. Currently, CoxHealth serves more than 15,000 Medicare beneficiaries through its ACO.

In its first year as a Next Generation ACO in 2018, CoxHealth’s ACO initiative generated more than $2 million in savings to Medicare during the performance year. In addition to these savings, CoxHealth obtained over a 92% ACO quality score for how successfully providers communicate to their patients. CoxHealth also received a 100% ACO Overall quality measure score, and ranked in the 93rd quality percentile for treating Ischemic Vascular Disease.

“We are very pleased with these results, and what they mean for our patients,” says Dr. Bryan Finke, medical director of CoxHealth’s ACO. “It is satisfying to see how our efforts have paid off for both patients and Medicare savings, but ultimately, offer an even greater level of care for our patients. Being able to streamline care and services benefits everyone.”

These results are consistent with CoxHealth’s continued focus on delivering high-quality care while reducing unnecessary health care costs for patients. Several drivers contributed to these clinical and financial outcomes, including CoxHealth’s emphasis on coordinating care to help ensure patients, especially the chronically ill or those who are hospitalized, get the right care at the right time and avoid unneeded duplication of services.

CoxHealth is the only locally owned, not-for-profit health system based in Springfield. CoxHealth is Missouri’s first hospital system accredited by DNV GL - Healthcare for quality and patient safety. All six hospitals, as well as the outpatient centers and provider-based clinics, hold this national distinction from DNV’s accreditation program, the National Integrated Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

About the CoxHealth Next Generation Accountable Care Organization

The CoxHealth Next Generation Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is committed to designing and implementing clinical programs that will result in achieving the “Three Part Aim” objectives of providing better care for the individuals CoxHealth serves, better health for the populations CoxHealth cares for, and doing so in a financially sustainable manner.

Patients who seek information about this or other CoxHealth Population Health Services programs, please contact:

CoxHealth Population Health Services

CoxHealth Accountable Care

3354 S National Ave.

Springfield, MO 65807

417-269-6756

Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

https://www.coxhealth.com/about-us/coxhealth-accountable-care/

For additional information about Medicare or coverage, patients may contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY Users should call 1-877-486-2048 or visit medicare.gov.