What's Happening?
Mercy, a Midwest nonprofit health system, has partnered with Wellvana to offer value-based care opportunities to nonemployed primary care physicians and advanced practice providers. This 20-year affiliation
aims to integrate Wellvana's electronic health record tools and clinical teams to reduce administrative burdens and improve patient care coordination. The collaboration will provide financial incentives for better patient outcomes across Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and commercial plans. Mercy, with over $10 billion in annual revenue and 55 hospitals, will lend its population health infrastructure to support data-driven insights for participating practitioners. Wellvana, founded in 2019, has similar arrangements with other health systems, contributing to its extensive network across 40 states.
Why It's Important?
The partnership between Mercy and Wellvana is significant as it promotes the adoption of value-based care models, which focus on rewarding positive health outcomes rather than the volume of services provided. This approach can lead to improved patient care, reduced healthcare costs, and enhanced provider satisfaction. By integrating independent practitioners into these models, the collaboration aims to expand access to coordinated care, benefiting patients and communities. The financial incentives tied to patient outcomes encourage providers to focus on preventive care and chronic disease management, potentially reducing hospital admissions and emergency room visits.
What's Next?
Mercy and Wellvana plan to hold information and networking events for independent providers interested in participating in the value-based care program. These events will facilitate the integration of more practitioners into the clinically integrated network, potentially making it one of the largest in the country. As the partnership progresses, stakeholders will likely monitor the impact on patient outcomes and healthcare costs, assessing the effectiveness of the value-based care model in improving health services.
