RICHMOND, Va., May 16, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Aetna Better Health of Virginia, a CVS Health company (NYSE: CVS),
and Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VCHA) announced that
Aetna provided a total of
$7.3 million in value-based care
incentive payments to 22 Federally Qualified Health Centers, also
known as Community Health Centers, in Virginia. The funds aim to help health centers
improve quality of care by enabling their population health
management programs and increasing screenings for diabetes as well
as breast, cervical and colon cancers.
"Harmful disparities exist in health outcomes among minorities,
the poor and those who live in rural communities," says
Tracy Douglas, CEO of Virginia
Community Healthcare Association. "Those disparities, often related
to social determinants of health, lead to suffering and death in
patients, despite many having received intervention from our health
centers. When VCHA learned that Aetna shared our desire to address these
challenges, we saw an opportunity to facilitate conversations with
our membership. As a result, most of our member health centers
secured funds to bolster their capabilities to drive quality
outcomes."
Value-based care arrangements align provider reimbursement with
achieving health care quality measures and reducing health care
costs and enable providers to share in the cost savings. The health
centers will use the funds primarily to modernize their electronic
medical records and join VCHA's population health platform,
enabling them to broadly improve patient care, health outcomes and
in some cases, enhance their in-house cancer screening
capabilities.
"Community Health Centers provide immeasurable value to the
communities and members they serve – they enable access to care
that otherwise would not exist for many under-resourced
populations," said Joel Gray, Chief
Executive Officer of Aetna Better Health of Virginia. "The health centers also provide
more than just health care services; they provide education and
care that empowers people to have more control of their health. We
feel confident this partnership will drive improved health outcomes
for our members, as well as increase access to important health
screenings and other preventive care services."
"Thanks to the incredible work of Virginia Community Health
Centers and Aetna Better Health, our rural and under-resourced
communities across the Commonwealth will receive more funds,
support, and resources to improve patient care and health
outcomes," said Governor Glenn
Youngkin. "We've seen their transformative partnership at
work in the Petersburg community,
hosting over 25 community events. Through these important measures
in Petersburg and across the
Commonwealth, we are that much closer to a healthier Virginia."
"Community Health Centers operate on razor-thin margins," added
Douglas. "The funds provided through these incentives allow our
health centers to move closer to value-based care without diverting
operational dollars from patient care."
About Virginia Community Healthcare Association
Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VCHA), established in
1980, is a non-profit membership organization that serves as the
primary care association for Virginia's thirty community health centers and
look-alike health centers. VCHA's mission is to advocate on behalf
of, educate and elevate our member health centers, enhancing their
ability to provide affordable, accessible, quality healthcare to
the communities they serve regardless of their ability to pay. For
more information, visit www.vcha.org.
About Aetna Medicaid
Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health
company, has over 30 years of experience managing the care of
under-resourced populations, using innovative approaches and a
local presence in each market to achieve both successful health
care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has
expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who
are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna
Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans
under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names.
Together, these plans serve members in 16 states, including
Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New
Jersey, New York,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West
Virginia. For more information, see
www.aetnabetterhealth.com.
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.
Media contacts
Aetna
Robert Joyce
Robert.Joyce@CVSHealth.com
Virginia Community Healthcare Association
Joseph Stevens
jstevens@vcha.org
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SOURCE CVS Health