Aetna, ACES team to launch Institute of Quality for autism care

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Aetna has agreed to team up with Autism Comprehensive Educational Services to establish an Institute for Quality targeted toward individuals and families impacted by autism spectrum disorder, among other special needs.

Through the new national agreement, effective August 1, Aetna members now have access to value-based autism care from ACES clinical providers.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

Aetna's first Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Institute of Quality (IOQ), the companies said, will enable both parties to continue expanding access to autism care in an effort to reach more individuals and families.

Aetna recognizes facilities in its network that offer specialized clinical services for certain health conditions, and selects them for designation based on care quality, commitment to improvement and meeting certain standards of quality and cost efficiency, according to the insurer. ACES provides ABA and ancillary services to individuals and families impacted with autism or other special needs throughout their lifespan.

Cara McNulty, DPA, president of the Behavioral Health and Employee Assistance Program for Aetna, said via statement that the effort is part of a broader initiative to improve access to mental healthcare, and that the clinical care model for ABA will improve outcomes for families and communities.

THE LARGER TREND

Aetna has had a busy few weeks. In August, through its parent company, CVS Health, it debuted Aetna Virtual Primary Care, an offering the company said makes it easier for people to get the health services they need. This will result in some changes for members, most that have to do with access. Specifically, members will be able to access a panel of board-certified physicians and coordinated care from a consistent team of specialists based on their health needs, the payer said.

Also in August, Aetna and Cleveland Clinic formed a new Accountable Care Organization and planned to launch a co-branded commercial insurance plan called the Aetna Whole Health–Cleveland Clinic plan. Under the plan, Aetna members can receive care from the Cleveland Clinic Quality Alliance network of employed and independent community physicians or at any Cleveland Clinic facility. Aetna's commercial plan members will have access to second opinions by Cleveland Clinic for certain conditions.

CVS Health acquired Aetna in 2018. Services focus on self-management for patients with chronic conditions; expansion of chronic care management services at MinuteClinic; nutritional and behavioral counseling and benefit navigation support; and assistance with durable medical equipment, digital health apps and connected devices.

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com