Wellmark, Iowa Health team up to create ACO
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa will collaborate with Iowa Health System to create that state’s first commercial health plan accountable care organization (ACO).
The new ACO will be focused on coordinating care to improve quality, provide greater value and slow increases in healthcare costs, according to the payor and provider.
The ACO includes the following Iowa Health System hospitals, their affiliated medical clinics and home healthcare services: St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids; Iowa Health-Des Moines, including Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Iowa Lutheran Hospital and Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines; Methodist West Hospital in West Des Moines; Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge; and Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.
"We’re creating a ... system where physicians lead not only in the care of patients with acute and chronic illnesses, but also with people who are perfectly well and need the tools to stay that way," said Bill Leaver, president and CEO of Iowa Health System.
The new ACO will be focused on coordinating care to improve quality, provide greater value and slow increases in healthcare costs, according to the payor and provider.
The ACO includes the following Iowa Health System hospitals, their affiliated medical clinics and home healthcare services: St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids; Iowa Health-Des Moines, including Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Iowa Lutheran Hospital and Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines; Methodist West Hospital in West Des Moines; Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge; and Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.
"We’re creating a ... system where physicians lead not only in the care of patients with acute and chronic illnesses, but also with people who are perfectly well and need the tools to stay that way," said Bill Leaver, president and CEO of Iowa Health System.
Beth Walsh,
Editor
Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.