Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance (BSWQA) has been recognized in the Becker's Hospital Review 2016 list of"100 ACOs to Know," featuring national standout accountable care organizations with excellence in quality, achievements in driving down cost and ability to grow and take on risk.
The Becker's Hospital Review editorial team selected top ACOs based on quality and cost performance, participation in CMS' Next Generation Model, the Pioneer Model, advanced tracks of the Medicare Shared Savings Program and number of recently formed commercial contracts.
"Being named to Becker's 100 ACO's to know is a high honor," said Cliff Fullerton, MD, president of BSWQA. "Over the past three years in operation, BSWQA has successfully used its population health infrastructure to deliver better health care to our communities while at the same time reducing costs. The BSWQA network shares a common goal to build a better health care system for the future. We persist in maturing our care model so that our patients continue to receive the right care, at the right time and in the right place."
BSWQA was formed in 2011 to achieve the highest quality and most cost-effective care possible for patients through clinical integration. BSWQA is composed of over 4,500 primary and specialty care physicians, 46 hospitals, post-acute care facilities and other health care stakeholders agreeing to be jointly accountable for improving quality and reducing costs.
Considered fully operational in 2013, BSWQA became the preferred provider network for Baylor Scott & White Health's North Texas employee health plan. Over the past three years managing the health of 34,000 enrollees in the plan, BSWQA reported positive outcomes for important population health measures including flat total medical costs, 12 percent fewer hospital admissions and a 10 percent drop in 30-day readmissions. BSWQA's generic prescribing rate has increased to 86 percent and its disease management and preventive health measures continue to exceed national standards.
The achievements are a result of BSWQA's patient population health services that include care coordination, chronic disease management and preventive health services that help patients avoid expensive, unnecessary hospital admissions and readmissions to the hospital 30-days post discharge.
Payers and employers continue to seek collaborative agreements with the ACO that are becoming a vital element for creating the value-driven care delivery model of the future. By 2018, BSWQA covered lives growth is expected to exceed 500,000.
"BSWQA is leading the charge in actualizing the health care industry's vision to change health care for the better," said Sarah Gahm, chief administrative officer of BSWQA. "Implementing key components essential for successfully managing the health of patient populations that include enhancements to primary care, care coordination, data analytics/IT and physician engagement, BSWQA has become a first mover in achieving the Triple Aim®: improving quality, managing the health of patient populations, and reducing healthcare costs."
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About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com