KFMC Leads Initiative for Primary Care Providers

The Kansas Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC) is working to carry out the new payment model initiatives set forth by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) through various efforts across multiple contracts. These models provide incentives to providers for making correct care decisions and for moving toward a more coordinated, integrated care system.

Ahead of the Practice Transformation Network grant award, KFMC has partnered with Maryland-based Aledade, to form an independent physician-led Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in Kansas: the Aledade Kansas ACO.  ACOs are networks of physicians who band together to deliver coordinated care to patients, operating under a payment structure that rewards positive health outcomes for patients, instead of the volume of healthcare services delivered.

"Family physicians have a unique connection with their patients,” said Dr. Farzad Mostashari, CEO and co-founder of Aledade. “They are best positioned to lead the transformation toward value-based healthcare, and our ACO will empower them to do so.  And just like these doctors have a special relationship with their patients, KFMC has a special relationships with Kansas physicians.  We’re excited to work with this team, and know this partnership will benefit Kansas’ independent doctors and their patients.”

Aledade ACOs focus on delivering the highest quality care to patients, with an emphasis on preventative care, high-value referral networks, and customized technology. Aledade offers unmatched analysis of patient claims and electronic health record (EHR) data to identify patients who need help before serious medical problems arise. Aledade’s partnership with KFMC will enable the new ACO to provide hands-on, personal support for physicians throughout the entire setup and operation of the new organization.

Jennifer Brull, MD, a leader in electronic medical record adoption and one of the first Kansas physicians to attest to meaningful use in the state, will serve as the organization’s medical director. “Aledade brings tremendous experience on the national scale, while KFMC brings true connections to doctors and patients in our home state.” said the Plainville-based Dr. Brull.  “It’s a powerful combination that will allow small primary care practices access to the tools of a big-city ACO, while retaining the small town feel that makes our practices special.  With trusted, knowledgeable partners like Aledade and KFMC, Kansas physicians will improve both the quality of the care we provide, and our own financial stability.”

The current payment model for providers is a fee-for-service, fragmented care system that is associated with a relatively low quality of care. The care delivered is inconsistent; there is a increased probability for medical error as well as many patient safety incidents and preventable deaths. In addition, this system is a significant contributor to the federal budget deficit. The costs are increasing faster than salaries and inflation, and American’s healthcare expenditures are by far the highest in the world.

The Practice Transformation Network grant will be the next step toward supporting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) goals of development and testing of innovative health care payment and service delivery models.

Success with REC

Part of the reason we have high confidence in our ability to secure and execute the PTN grant is due to our Regional Extension Center (REC) work. We recently updated our impact map which can be viewed here.

We have helped over 1,674 providers select, implement, and or meaningfully use their Health IT. Additionally, through our strong partnership with The Kansas Hospital Education and Research Foundation, we have provided assistance to our 95 critical access rural hospitals.

To boil this down further, of the 9,891 healthcare providers in Kansas, 4,623 (or 46%) are registered with CMS for the EHR incentive programs. 3,141 EPs have already received at least one incentive payment for a combined total of over $80.7 million. We have assisted 806 of those earning an incentive for a total of $20 million.

There are 126 hospitals in Kansas, including 82 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and 13 Rural Hospitals (RHs) who have benefitted directly from the REC grant. Thus far, 88 have adopted CEHRT and 66 have achieved Meaningful Use and have collectively earned over $198 million in CMS incentives.

As you can see, we have also worked with the FQHCs and RHCs throughout our state. The Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved has been a great partner throughout the REC Grant, and together we have assisted fifteen of the sixteen FQHCs in Kansas.

The Practice Transformation Network grant has lofty goals, and the team at KFMC are excited to continue working with the great caregivers throughout Kansas as we work towards the common goal of better care, improved health, and reduced cost of care.