Accountability in action: Baptist Health recognized for excellence in patient care and value

Baptist Physician Partners (BPP), Baptist Health’s clinically integrated hospital-physician network, was recently named to Becker’s Hospital Review's list of “44 Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to Know” for 2024. The network, which provides high-quality, value-based care to communities throughout Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, is one of just two ACOs in Florida to make the prestigious list for the past two years.

“Success in value-based care is paramount to our entire organization, and this recognition is an honor and testament to the work of our ACO and clinically integrated network,” said Mary Leen, DNP, ARNP, vice president of clinical operations for BPP, who leads care coordination teams at Baptist Health. “Fostering collaboration among health care providers ensures patients receive comprehensive and seamless care whatever their health care need. It also empowers patients to confidently navigate their health care journey, assured that their providers are collaborating for their best interests.”

Accountable Care Organizations are groups of clinicians, hospitals and other health care providers who work together to provide highly coordinated, patient-centered care. Care coordination teams help to ensure continuity of care throughout a patient’s health care journey. This collaborative approach promotes value-based care, which emphasizes quality over quantity in the delivery of health care.

The triple aim of ACOs is to:

• Improve the patient experience, including quality and satisfaction,
• Reduce the cost of care and increase value through efficiency and effectiveness, and
• Improve population health and well-being by focusing on prevention.

In addition, many ACOs such as BPP also focus on improving provider well-being and reducing burnout by addressing the needs of the care team as well as the patient and family.

Through the use of evidence-based practices, standards and analytics, ACOs have been proven to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, improve chronic disease management, and help create healthier communities.

Becker’s praised BPP and the other ACOs on its list for saving “patients and health systems alike millions of dollars, providing excellent patient care at a lower cost,” and stated they are among the first adopters of the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Since its inception in 2014, BPP has generated millions in savings through value-based agreements, meaning payment models that connect reimbursement for health care services to the experience and value delivered to patients. BPP became an ACO in 2018 through the Medicare Shared Savings Program, and in 2022, it was ranked in the top 10% for total savings as compared to all participating ACOs. It has since recruited more than 1,280 physician members and added 86,000 patients.

“We are proud to be recognized for the strength and quality of our clinically integrated network,” said Timothy G. Groover, MD, MBA, CPE, FACHE, senior vice president and chief medical officer of Baptist Health. “Quality over quantity is the right choice for us and our patients. Efficiently providing high-quality care results in better patient outcomes and allows us to reinvest in technology and services, maintaining the availability of health care services for the community.”