2019 C-Suite Awards | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, PRIVATE COMPANY: NOAH BENEDICT | RHODE ISLAND PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS CORP.
SINCE BECOMING CHIEF operating officer of Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Corp., Noah Benedict has quintupled the size of the staff to 62, led steady revenue growth, partnered with Care New England Health System and began standardizing members’ electronic health records.
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He and his team achieved those accomplishments during his seven years as COO, while maintaining a candid team atmosphere, said Andrea Galgay, director of accountable care organization development at the multispecialty independent practice.
“Noah fosters an environment where the leadership team drives the direction of the company,” Galgay said. “We consistently work together and are comfortable sharing our expertise in an open and candid setting. Noah sets the tone that it is OK to disagree, and he values the input of everyone on the team,” she said.
The mutual respect leads to increased productivity, Galgay said.
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast,” Benedict said of the importance of a team being able to work comfortably and happily together.
Benedict said he believes in giving talented people the opportunity to create, innovate and challenge one another.
“The days of a single leader having all the answers [are] over and so is the thinking that you have that ability,” Benedict said.
Benedict, who joined Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians 17 years ago, was elevated to COO when the staff numbered just 12. Rather than setting out to grow the business, Benedict said, “I focused on turning Rhode Island Primary Care into a leading organization,” he said.
Galgay noted the practice’s annual revenue has consistently increased since 2011, largely due to contracts negotiated by Benedict and work completed by the care team. From 2016 to 2018 alone, revenue grew 41%, she said.
The company’s partnership with the hospital group Care New England was notable, Galgay said, as was Benedict’s involvement in reaching the agreement.
“I try to think of a way that we both can win,” Benedict said of his approach to negotiation. “You should be able to accomplish that, if you are transparent about what your needs are and vice-versa.”
Together, the entities formed the Integra Community Care Network LLC accountable care organization. Integra contracts with state, federal and commercial insurers, focused on containing health care costs, while also improving outcomes.
Benedict, who sits on Integra’s board, said Rhode Island Primary Care’s focus has always been on their patients and their health. “That [focus] alone is going to have a positive impact on the entire company and their bottom line,” he said.
“Since taking over as chief operating officer, Noah’s negotiation skills with insurers are unmatched,” Galgay said.
Benedict’s deal-making skills were also key in developing a relationship with UnitedHealthcare of New England about five years ago, she said. While United had a very corporate-centered approach to contracting, running all decisions through Minneapolis, Benedict has worked to create a collaborative relationship. In 2018, Rhode Island Primary Care was awarded the Innovation Award, which was one of six awards given to United accountable care organizations around the country, she said.
His long-term strategy for getting the practice’s members aligned with the same electronic health records is also having a positive effect, Galgay said. Since 2014, more than 60% of Rhode Island Primary Care providers have migrated to Epic, the electronic health records software used by about 50% of U.S. hospitals.
“Noah serves as a key advocate, pushing our vendor, CNE, to maximize the build of Epic in a way that is most beneficial for our practices,” Galgay said.
The uniformity Epic provides is very valuable, Benedict said. When one office makes an improvement, it’s easily accessible to all the practices using Epic software.
Working to keep Rhode Island Primary Care running smoothly, providing the highest quality care as efficiently as possible in a challenging, respectful environment is a pleasure, Benedict said.
“It’s professionally very satisfying,” Benedict said. “I would imagine that the people that work here also feel the same way.”
