ConnectiCare Expands Collaboration with Connecticut State Medical Society-Independent Practice Association

ConnectiCare has expanded its provider collaboration with the Connecticut State Medical Society-Independent Practice Association (CSMS-IPA). The expanded agreement now includes New Haven, Fairfield, Middlesex, Windham and New London Counties. ConnectiCare has practice collaboration arrangements with twelve Connecticut-providers throughout the State including: Integrated Care Partners (Hartford HealthCare), St. Francis HealthCare Partners, ProHealth Physicians, Community Medical Group, Grove Hill Medical Group, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Connecticut Multi-Specialty Group, CSMS-IPA, Northeast Medical Group, Middlesex Hospital, Medical Professional Services IPA and Eastern Connecticut Physician Hospital Organization.

Through these provider collaboration arrangements, ConnectiCare uses claims and other data to identify and address patient care needs. ConnectiCare has dedicated care management teams that work with assigned provider groups with the goal of coordinating patients’ care and providing support for effective follow-through by the physician and patient. The results for our provider collaborations are encouraging when compared to our non-provider collaborations: members saw their primary care physicians 10% more often, were admitted to the hospital 9% less often, and went to the emergency room 6% less often. Results reflect activity for January 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014. Additionally, the Quality Measure results for the provider collaborations indicate better health outcomes for members seeing doctors that are in one of ConnectiCare’s provider collaboration arrangements.

“What’s unique about ConnectiCare’s provider collaboration program is that we live and work here in Connecticut – just like our network of physicians and our members, their patients. We can engage local resources, such as community centers and meal delivery services that non-local carriers would not even know about. It is this extra touch and the face-to-face interactions we have with the participating physicians every day that makes the program a success,” said ConnectiCare’s John Harper, M.D., Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.

David D. Thompson, Jr., M.D., President of the CSMS-IPA commented, “Since the inception of this program, we have identified areas where we can make the most impact by coordinating patient care and working closely with ConnectiCare. The direction of the health system is heading into these collaboration arrangements with common goals that benefit the patient. “

ConnectiCare’s provider collaboration agreements are highly selective and customized to the unique services and patient population served by each medical group. The collaborations have been in place for Medicare members since 2008 and were expanded to include commercial members in 2014. Additional provider collaboration arrangements are planned in 2015.

About ConnectiCare

ConnectiCare is a health plan based in Farmington, Connecticut, and a subsidiary of EmblemHealth. ConnectiCare has a full offering of products for business, municipalities, individuals and those who are Medicare-eligible. A local company for more than 30 years, ConnectiCare maintains all operations and 730 employees in Farmington, CT. Visit our websites: www.connecticare.com and www.chooseconnecticare.com.

About CSMS-IPA, Inc.

The Connecticut State Medical Society- IPA (CSMS-IPA) is the largest statewide IPA in Connecticut and one of the largest in the nation. The CSMS-IPA is comprised of approximately 7,000 physician members throughout Connecticut and is governed by a 27-member Board of Directors. The CSMS-IPA mission statement is “to promote high-quality, cost-effective medical care which is physician driven, financially sustainable and valued by healthcare stakeholders.” More information can be found on www.csms-ipa.com.