Health insurer CIGNA and Health Choice, a physician hospital organization affiliated with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis, Tenn., have launched an accountable care initiative, according to a joint news release.
By partnering with Bloomfield, Conn.-based CIGNA, Health Choice will create the first accountable care program in Memphis involving a group of independent medical practices and a health plan. The program is focused on approximately 17,000 individuals covered by a CIGNA health plan who receive care from among 29 physicians at seven participating practices.
CIGNA will pay physicians as usual for the medical services they provide. The physicians also will be rewarded through a “pay for performance” structure if they meet targets for improving quality and lowering medical costs, according to the release.
In the program, participating physician practices will monitor and coordinate all aspects of an individual’s medical care and patients will continue to go to their current physician. There also are no changes in any plan requirements regarding referrals to specialists.
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