Cigna and Northwest Indiana's Community Healthcare System are collaborating in a value-based agreement that will financially reward the health system for meeting quality and cost targets.
Cigna will also compensate Northwest Indiana's Community Healthcare System for medical and care coordination services provided by registered nurse care coordinators employed by Community Healthcare System, Cigna said.
The RN care coordinators will help individuals with chronic conditions or other health challenges by closing gaps, such as missed health screenings or prescription refills. They will also reinforce the use of preventive health visits with a patient's primary care physician, and improve follow-up care for people transitioning from hospital to home.
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Cigna health plan members receiving care from providers affiliated with Community Healthcare System's three not-for-profit hospitals will benefit from lower cost of care, Cigna said.
Community Healthcare System hospitals include Community Hospital in Munster, St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. Hartsfield Village, a continuing care retirement community in Munster, is also affiliated.
Partnering with Cigna allows for the sharing of data and streamlining of care, according to Alan Kumas, MD, chief medical officer for Community Healthcare Partners.
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"We are excited to partner with Cigna through our clinically integrated network," Kumar said "Community Healthcare Partners' clinically integrated network is a collaboration among our hospitals, primary care physicians and specialists to continuously improve the effectiveness of health care services."
The program is part of Cigna Collaborative Care, a value-based model that uses incentives to engage healthcare professionals and drive improved health, affordability and customer experience.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse