WALNUT CREEK, Calif. & LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Humana Medicare Advantage members in Contra Costa County now have access to value-based care, thanks to a partnership between John Muir Health and health and well-being leader Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM). The arrangement is designed to offer a more proactive and wellness-focused health care experience for Humana’s Medicare Advantage members.
This value-based agreement unites John Muir Health and Humana around the common goal of achieving the triple aim of improving the health of Humana Medicare Advantage members served by John Muir Health, improving the patient experience of care (quality and satisfaction), and reducing the cost of care. Under the terms of this agreement, both organizations will benefit financially if the health of this population improves. Doctors will also be rewarded financially for high-quality care.
Transitioning to value-based payment models means that physicians are reimbursed for the health outcomes of the patients they serve. By focusing on quality and health, Humana experienced 18 percent lower costs in total in 2014 for members who were treated by providers in a value-based reimbursement model setting versus original fee-for-service Medicare. John Muir Health has also participated in several value-based programs, including the Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO. John Muir Health was a top performing Medicare ACO in California and the only participant in California to achieve shared savings for the 2014 performance year.
“Our new partnership will build on the care coordination expertise of Humana and John Muir Health to bring Humana Medicare Advantage members more cost-effective, quality care and an exceptional patient experience,” said Lee Huskins, president and chief administrative officer of John Muir Health’s Physician Network. “Our partnership is well aligned with John Muir Health’s efforts to increase access, focus on preventive care and, when needed, deliver the right care at the right time and in the most appropriate setting for our patients.”
John Muir Health and its physician network, one of the largest medical groups in Northern California, offers more than 1,000 primary care and specialty physicians. Humana’s Medicare Advantage members will have in-network access to John Muir Health affiliated physicians and facilities, including its Concord, San Ramon (partner with Tenet Healthcare) and Walnut Creek hospitals, multiple outpatient centers and other ancillary services.
As part of the agreement, John Muir Health and Humana will develop strategies to improve the health of Humana’s Medicare Advantage members in Contra Costa County, lower costs, and manage the ongoing health needs of the population. John Muir Health will collaborate with Humana to manage prescriptions, follow up on patients who miss appointments, and identify at-risk patients so they can receive the right care before requiring serious medical attention. Patients will also benefit from wellness programs and improved screening and monitoring for chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
“Improving the patient experience is an instrumental component of why Humana and John Muir Health entered into this value-based agreement,” said Emily Coriale, Humana’s Medicare Vice President for California and the Pacific Region. “We’ve found that our Humana members want more personalized care from their doctors and specialists, as well as access to wellness programs in their community. This new partnership with John Muir Health puts the patient at the center of their own care, helping them to maximize their personal health and well-being.”
Nationally, Humana has nearly 30 years of accountable care experience, including approximately 1.7 million individual Medicare Advantage and 200,000 commercial members, cared for by more than 47,800 primary care physicians in more than 900 value-based payment relationships across 43 states and Puerto Rico. Currently, approximately 61 percent of Humana individual Medicare Advantage members are in value-based payment relationships. Humana’s goal is to have 75 percent of individual Medicare Advantage members in value-based payment models by 2017. For more information, visit humana.com/accountable-care or humana.com/valuebasedcare.
“John Muir Health sees development of and participation in value-based agreements as an important part of our future, a vision we share with Humana, as we move from a fee-for-service based payment system to population-based models based on quality, safety and the patient experience,” said Huskins. “Our combined experience and success with these types of arrangements positions us well to deliver on what patients are looking for in their health care experience.”
About John Muir Health
John Muir Health is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care organization east of San Francisco serving patients in Contra Costa, eastern Alameda and southern Solano Counties. It includes a network of more than 1,000 primary care and specialty physicians, nearly 6,000 employees, medical centers in Concord and Walnut Creek, including Contra Costa County’s only trauma center, and a Behavioral Health Center. John Muir Health also has partnerships with San Ramon Regional Medical Center, UCSF Health and Stanford Children's Health to expand its capabilities, increase access to services and better serve patients. The health system offers a full-range of medical services, including primary care, outpatient and imaging services, and is widely recognized as a leader in many specialties – neurosciences, orthopedic, cancer, cardiovascular, trauma, emergency, pediatrics and high-risk obstetrics care. For more information, visit www.johnmuirhealth.com.
About Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a leading health and well-being company focused on making it easy for people to achieve their best health with clinical excellence through coordinated care. The company’s strategy integrates care delivery, the member experience, and clinical and consumer insights to encourage engagement, behavior change, proactive clinical outreach and wellness for the millions of people we serve across the country.
More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s web site at www.humana.com, including copies of:
- Annual reports to stockholders
- Securities and Exchange Commission filings
- Most recent investor conference presentations
- Quarterly earnings news releases
- Replays of most recent earnings release conference calls
- Calendar of events
- Corporate Governance information
