HHS gives $685 million to healthcare organizations to support broad patient engagement initiatives
Among the goals are reducing unnecessary testing, providing coaching, supporting peer-to-peer education and improving patient communication.
The Department of Health and Human Services awarded $685 million to 39 healthcare and support organizations to help them transform their businesses on Tuesday. Among the goals are reducing unnecessary testing, providing coaching, supporting peer-to-peer education and improving tools for patient communication.
The Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative is one of the largest federal investments designed to support doctors and other clinicians nationwide, said HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell.
The awards are going to 29 medical group practices and regional healthcare systems; and to 10 support organizations.
The 29 provider organizations receiving the funds include: Arizona Health-e Connection; Baptist Health System, Inc. in Alabama; Children's Hospital of Orange County, Southern California; Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing; Community Care of North Carolina; Community Health Center Association of Connecticut; Consortium for Southeastern Hypertension Control; Health Partners Delmarva in Delaware and Maryland; Iowa Healthcare Collaborative; Local Initiative Health Authority of Los Angeles County; Maine Quality Counts; Mayo Clinic; National Council for Behavioral Health in New York; National Rural Accountable Care Consortium; New Jersey Innovation Institute; New Jersey Medical & Health Associates dba CarePoint Health; New York eHealth Collaborative; New York University School of Medicine; Pacific Business Group on Health; PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center; Rhode Island Quality Institute; The Trustees of Indiana University; VHA/UHC Alliance Newco; University of Massachusetts Medical School; University of Washington; Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Virginia Health Quality Center; VHS Valley Health Systems; and Washington State Department of Health.
The 10 national organizations and healthcare professional associations receiving up to $27 million are: the American Board of Family Medicine; American College of Emergency Physicians; American College Physicians; American College of Radiology; American Medical Association; American Psychiatric Association; HCD International; National Nursing Centers Consortium; Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement; and Patient-Centered Primary Care Foundation.
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Funding will help providers give patients better tools for communication through emails and other technology applications; provide dedicated coaches to help practices better manage chronic disease and offer preventive care; offer real-time notification alerts for clinicians caring for high-risk patients; and improve screening and treatment of mental health and substance abuse.
For example, the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American College of Radiology will engage clinicians, patients and families in reducing unnecessary testing.
The National Rural Accountable Care Consortium will assess, educate and provide on site peer-supported education and training to more than 5,500 rural providers who may wish to transition into Accountable Care Organizations.
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The American Board of Family Medicine will work with more than 25,000 family physicians to move towards a wellness-based approach to managing care.
These awards are made possible by the Affordable Care Act, in efforts to transition from a volume-driven system to value-based care. It builds upon other models and programs such as the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Organization Program, Partnership for Patients with Hospital Engagement Networks, and Accountable Care Organizations, according to HHS.
Secretary Burwell released the awards in conjunction with a roundtable discussion with members of Congress and healthcare leaders.
"Supporting doctors and other healthcare professionals change the way they work is critical to improving quality and spending our health care dollars more wisely," Burwell said. "These awards will give patients more of the information they need to make informed decisions about their care and give clinicians access to information and support to improve care coordination and quality outcomes."
Twitter: @SusanMorseHFN
