UnitedHealthcare, IHN of Wisconsin exceed quality goals in first year of ACO

Emily Rappleye -

The Milwaukee-based Integrated Health Network of Wisconsin eclipsed its clinical quality goals in its first year partnering with UnitedHealthcare for accountable care.

Approximately 60,000 patients with employer-sponsored UnitedHeatlhcare plans participated in the program, receiving care with enhanced care coordination and management of chronic health conditions.

IHN of Wisconsin was able to improve breast cancer screenings by 7 percent, colorectal cancer screenings by more than 5 percent, diabetes screenings by more than 4 percent and unnecessary emergency room use by 4 percent between 2012 and 2014. Between 2013 and 2014 the clinically integrated accountable care network improved use of generic medications by more than 2 percent.

"It is evident in these first-year results that IHN's care model has been effective in closing gaps in care for patients with the goal of helping them feel better and keep healthcare costs in check," Kurt Janavitz, CEO of IHN of Wisconsin, said in a statement. "UnitedHealthcare has been a valued partner in these pioneering efforts."

IHN's accountable care organization now serves more than 114,000 UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored plan members, nearly double that in 2014. UnitedHealthcare has as many as 13 million members in more than 750 ACOs across the country.

 

More articles on accountable care:

Lee Memorial, Florida Blue launch ACO
Realizing the patient potential in accountable care: Q&A with Dr. Tim Hernandez of Community Health Network
Aetna, CHOP to collaborate on ACO

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