LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sequent Health Physician Partners’ first accountable care program launched in January through a new collaboration with Cigna (NYSE: CI). The aim is to improve health, affordability and the patient experience for over 8,500 people who are covered by a Cigna health plan and receive care through Sequent Health’s physician network.
The initiative includes approximately 460 long-established local medical providers, including over 125 primary care physicians and a wide range of specialists, such as cardiologists, pulmonologists, oncologists, neurologists and surgeons who practice with the clinically integrated network. The parent company of Sequent Health Physician Partners is Gwinnett Health System, which is also the parent company of Gwinnett Medical Center.
Sequent’s collaboration with Cigna is part of a population health initiative to improve the health outcomes of a group through better care coordination and patient education. In places where it’s been introduced, Cigna Collaborative Care is helping to improve the health of Cigna customers while effectively managing medical costs by helping to:
- close gaps in care, such as missed health screenings or prescription refills;
- reinforce the appropriate use of hospital emergency rooms;
- increase the number of preventive health visits; and,
- improve follow-up care for people transitioning from the hospital to home.
“Among the many benefits of the program, it’s designed to minimize barriers to health care,” said Manfred Sandler, cardiologist and Sequent Health Physician Partners board chairman. “Additionally, care coordinators help patients navigate the health care system, especially those with chronic conditions or other health challenges.”
The care coordinators are part of physician-led care teams that will help people get the follow-up care or screenings they need, identify potential complications related to medications and help prevent chronic conditions from worsening. The care coordinators are also aligned with a team of Cigna case managers to ensure a high degree of collaboration between the medical group and Cigna, which will ultimately provide a better experience for the individual.
Care coordinators can also help individuals schedule appointments, provide health education and refer people to Cigna's clinical support programs that are part of their employer’s health plan.
"We're excited to expand our collaborative care program further in Georgia and to be a preferred health plan for Sequent Health Physician Partners as we work together to change health care,” said Robert Hamilton, M.D., Cigna's regional medical executive for Georgia. "By focusing on quality and value, instead of volume of services, this model will ultimately lead to a healthier population and lower medical costs, which is good for individuals, families, employers and doctors."
Cigna will compensate physicians who are part of the initiative for the medical and care coordination services they provide. Additionally, physicians may be rewarded through a “pay for value” structure for meeting targets for improving quality and lowering medical costs.
Cigna has been at the forefront of the accountable care organization movement since 2008 and now has 142 Cigna Collaborative Care arrangements with large physician groups, including six in Georgia. They span 29 states, reach more than 1.6 million commercial customers and encompass more than 65,000 doctors, including approximately 32,000 primary care physicians and 33,000 specialists.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 90 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
About Sequent Health Physician Partners
Representing the next chapter of healthcare, Sequent Health Physician Partners is a clinically integrated network that is organized, led and managed by physicians. Supported by Gwinnett Health System, Sequent is comprised of nearly 300 physicians and medical providers aligned to collaborate on patient care. By instituting common goals including patient outcomes, coordinated care and aligned performance metrics, Sequent physicians work together to improve community health and reduce the cost of care. For more information, visit sequentphysicians.com.
About Gwinnett Health System
Gwinnett Health System is the parent company of a number of healthcare entities in Gwinnett County including Gwinnett Medical Center, Gwinnett Medical Group and Sequent Health Physician Partners. Gwinnett Health System employs 4,800 associates and has 800 affiliated physicians serving more than 400,000 patients annually. To learn more, visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org.
