Agreement establishes new Accountable Care
collaboration that emphasizes health equity, coordinated care and
improved access
WOONSOCKET, R.I. and CHICAGO, Jan. 23,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Accountable Care
Organization, Inc., a division of the CVS Health family of
businesses (NYSE: CVS), today announced it has entered into a
collaboration with RUSH University
System for Health (RUSH) to expand
access for Medicare patients to RUSH
clinical services in the Chicago
area. The collaboration is based on the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) redesigned direct contracting model, ACO
Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health
(REACH)1.
The collaboration enables patients seeking health services at
various ACO REACH-participating
MinuteClinic® locations in Chicago
and Evanston to access care with
RUSH and other ACO REACH entities for follow-up primary and
specialty care. MinuteClinic locations offer in-person and virtual
care seven days a week, with same-day appointments and extended
hours.
"RUSH is honored and excited to work
with CVS Health," said Dr. Omar
Lateef, RUSH President and Chief
Executive Officer. "This provides another option for patients at a
time when access to high-quality health care is more important than
ever. It will help strengthen care coordination for patients, while
enabling them to receive services convenient to where they live and
work."
To fulfill the organizations' shared commitment to delivering
accessible, affordable, coordinated and equitable care,
RUSH will be the only Chicago-area academic medical center
participant in CVS ACO REACH's first Accountable Care Organization
(ACO) based on the REACH model. ACO
REACH prioritizes health equity and the reduction of
unnecessary medical costs by moving patients away from Medicare's
fee-for-service system and toward value-based care.
"As part of CVS Health's care delivery strategy, we are engaging
our assets on behalf of this ACO
REACH population to help drive high-quality outcomes,
promote health equity, and bring health care costs down," said
Mohamed Diab, CEO, CVS Accountable
Care Organization, noting CVS Health's omnichannel care model that
focuses on expanding virtual and in-person services in
community-based MinuteClinic and HealthHUB™ locations. "Our
strategic alignment with RUSH has the
potential to help improve longitudinal care for their Medicare
population of 35,000 beneficiaries."
The agreement builds on RUSH's
successes in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to ensure patients
have access to equitable, accessible and high-quality care. Over
the last two years, RUSH has led the
way in value-based care among Chicago-area academic health
organizations.
Customized support will be offered for Medicare patients who
need it, including home-based care, transportation support for
annual wellness visits, cost sharing to help with co-pays, and
other enhanced services and incentives.
Both CVS Health and RUSH have
longstanding commitments to reducing inequities that drive unequal
health outcomes. CVS Health is committed to advancing health equity
for its customers, colleagues, clients and communities by improving
trust, health care access and quality of health for every
population it serves.
"In every part of our business at CVS Health, we ensure that
culturally competent care is integrated into the design and
development of new population health initiatives, products and
services," Diab said. "Our new ACO
REACH work and collaboration with RUSH is another example of our focus on improving
health equity."
Recognizing the injustice of growing gaps in health outcomes,
locally and nationally, RUSH in 2019
became one of the first academic health systems to make health
equity a strategic priority.
"RUSH has a long-held commitment to
improving the health of the communities we serve," said Lateef.
"This agreement reflects that strong commitment and a terrific
opportunity to build upon that foundation of strong community-based
programs and partnerships and have impact for patients on day
one."
About CVS Health
CVS Health® is the leading health
solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach
more people and improve the health of communities across America
through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000
dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000 physicians,
pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever
people need us, we help them with their health – whether that's
managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their
medications, or accessing affordable health and wellness services
in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health
care system – and their personal health care – by improving access,
lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful
moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day.
Follow @CVSHealth on social media.
About RUSH
RUSH University System for Health brings together
the brightest minds in medicine, research and academics. Driven by
discovery, innovation and a deep responsibility for the health of
our communities, RUSH is a national
leader in outstanding patient care, education, research, community
partnerships and empowering a new generation of health care
providers.
RUSH University Medical Center is
ranked among the top hospitals in the nation by U.S. News &
World Report. The Medical Center was also ranked No. 4 in the
nation by Vizient and named a Top Teaching Hospital by The Leapfrog
Group.
RUSH includes RUSH University Medical Center, RUSH University, RUSH Copley Medical Center and
RUSH Oak Park Hospital and numerous outpatient care facilities, as
well as an extensive provider network that includes more than 140
physician practices. RUSH University
comprises four colleges: RUSH Medical College, the College of
Nursing, the College of Health Sciences and the Graduate
College.
CVS Health media contact:
Kathleen Biesecker
Phone: 703-472-8466
Email: BieseckerK@cvshealth.com
RUSH media
contact:
Tobin Klinger
Phone: 224-571-6542
Email: Tobin_Klinger@rush.edu
1 The statements contained in this document are
solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the
views or policies of CMS. The authors assume responsibility for the
accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this
document.
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SOURCE CVS Health