NEW BEDFORD – The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has chosen a proposal – subject to contract negotiations – that will allow Southcoast Health System in New Bedford to enroll low-income children and adults covered by MassHealth (Medicaid) in an Accountable Care Organization model of care.
Slated to begin in January 2018, MassHealth patients seen by Southcoast Health’s primary care providers will transition to an ACO care model that is designed to improve care and slow MassHealth’s rapid cost increases.
Southcoast Health formed an ACO with BMC Health System, which includes BMC HealthNet Plan, to serve these patients. Southcoast Health’s providers serve their patients at Southcoast Hospitals Group, Southcoast Physicians Group, Southcoast Health Network, the Southcoast VNA and participating community providers.
Under the new ACO, care will be structured to include everything patients need to stay healthy, including outpatient and inpatient services, community-based services for behavioral health, substance use disorders, rehabilitation home health, adult day care and long-term services and supports.
“The partnership with BMC Health System is an important step forward in our commitment to our MassHealth patients,” Southcoast Health President & CEO Keith A. Hovan said in a Southcoast Health statement. Calling it an opportunity to combine the respective organizations’ strengths to deliver the highest quality coordinated care at a lower cost, Hovan added, “We will place strong emphasis on making sure our patients have a seamless connection to a range of community-based supports and resources.”
With a longstanding focus on patient- and community-centered care, BMC Health System President Kate Walsh said in the statement that the organization understands MassHealth cost drivers and is committed to innovative approaches to improve care. “We’re looking forward to combining our experience and talents to improve care for MassHealth patients and reduce costs for the Commonwealth,” said Walsh.
Nancy Kirsch is a PBN contributing writer.
