Anthem Blue Cross' four accountable care organization partners in California all improved on patient care metrics in 2012, their first year as ACOs.
The four ACO partners are HealthCare Partners in Torrance, Santa Clara County IPA in San Mateo and Sharp Community Medical Group and Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, both in San Diego.
All groups had stellar results in two particular areas from 2011 to 2012: number of mammograms performed and the appropriate prescribing of antibiotics for bronchitis.
Increase in mammograms performed
HealthCare Partners: 31.4 percent
Santa Clara County IPA: 42.1 percent
Sharp Community Medical Group: 33.8 percent
Sharp Rees-Stealy: 37 percent
Increase in appropriate prescribing of antibiotics for bronchitis
HealthCare partners: 29.1 percent
Santa Clara County IPA: 86.7 percent
Sharp Community Medical Group: 75 percent
Sharp Rees-Stealy: 12.8 percent
"These results are a testament to the power of coordinated care," Michael Belman, MD, medical director at Anthem Blue Cross, said in the news release. "One of our tasks for the coming year is to help share best practices between our ACO partners and provide them with even better information so they can more precisely target patient interventions. With these improved quality outcomes, we can expect significant savings in the coming years."
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