Aetna, Banner Health Network enter accountable care collaboration

Aetna (NYSE: AET) today announced an accountable care collaboration with Banner Health Network and the introduction of Aetna Whole Health^SM, a new commercial health care product that provides members access to highly coordinated care from physicians and facilities in the Banner Health Network. The Banner Health Network model is focused on wellness and improving patient care outcomes through better coordination and access to patient information. The new product will be available later this month to Maricopa County and some Pinal County employers with two-100 eligible employees.

“These kinds of products and networks that rely on population health management to enhance care and control costs through an emphasis on wellness and a close coordination of care for members are going to become increasingly preferred by consumers”

The Banner Health Network is comprised of Banner employed and affiliated physicians and hospitals in Arizona, and is a new accountable care organization (ACO). An ACO uses technology and a team-based approach to care for a population of patients. Doctors and hospitals assume accountability for the outcomes and are rewarded financially for achieving higher quality, greater efficiency and an overall better patient experience.

"We're proud and excited that the Banner Health Network has been selected by Aetna to serve the members of Aetna Whole Health," said Banner's President and Chief Executive Officer Peter S. Fine. "These kinds of products and networks that rely on population health management to enhance care and control costs through an emphasis on wellness and a close coordination of care for members are going to become increasingly preferred by consumers," added Fine.

Integrated care model for Aetna members

Banner Health Network is able to serve Aetna Whole Health members in a highly coordinated fashion because it is a fully integrated delivery system. The "back-bone" of this integrated system is an enhanced electronic medical records system that connects the patients and Banner Health Network physicians and providers into a single record or data-base in real-time.

Aetna Whole Health members within the Banner Health Network will:

• pay less out of pocket;
• benefit from a focus on wellness;
• receive more coordinated care and greater assistance with managing their chronic conditions; and
• have access to Aetna's online tools.

Aetna and Banner Health Network are implementing a risk-sharing agreement that compensates and rewards Banner Health based on achieving certain quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction measures, in line with the measures prescribed in the triple aims of:

1. improving the patient's health care experience through greater care coordination and patient engagement;
2. improving the health of populations; and
3. reducing the per capita costs of health care by alignment payment with quality, patient outcomes and value.

The measures include, but are not limited to, the following:

• the percentage of Aetna members who receive recommended preventive care and screenings;
• reductions in hospital readmission rates; and
• expanded access to primary care physicians.

"Aetna is pleased to be working with Banner Health and the Banner Health Network to transform patient care and build a more effective, sustainable health care delivery model for Maricopa and Pinal counties," said Charles D. Kennedy, M.D., Aetna chief executive of Accountable Care Solutions. "Aetna's agreement with Banner is another example of how we are working with large hospital systems to give our members access to a better quality health care experience for their money. We have more than three years of evidence showing how collaborative care models can improve care and reduce costs," Dr. Kennedy said. "We are using our experience in collaboration with Banner Health to truly transform health care delivery by using new technologies, incentives and care management approaches to improve quality and efficiency."

Source Aetna