Payor forms ACO in northern California

Anthem Blue Cross and Individual Practice Association Medical Group of Santa Clara County (SCCIPA) are launching an accountable care organization (ACO), the first of its kind in Northern California to provide medical care to Anthem preferred provider organization (PPO) members.

SCCIPA’s network includes 284 primary care physicians, 550 specialists and 10 acute care facilities throughout Santa Clara County. Members will be included in the program if they have received the majority of their medical care from these physicians in the past and where there is already an established physician/patient relationship.

“We are pleased to expand our relationship with SCCIPA to include both a direct provider group contract and the launch of an ACO model,” said Pam Kehaly, president of Anthem Blue Cross. 

J. Kersten Kraft, MD, a practicing urologist and president of SCCIPA notes, “We continue to refine our coordinated care model to deliver a better-quality member experience through enhanced communication, better compliance, optimal utilization of in-network providers and generic medications, and reduction of unnecessary procedures, hospital admissions and readmissions.”

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