Bethesda, Md.-based Aledade has doubled the size of its primary care ACO network since the beginning of the year to include more than 200 independent physician practices across 15 states, covering 200,000 patients.
Aledade is a startup founded in 2014 to help independent physicians participate in value-based care initiatives. Its rapid expansion this year includes adding 2017 Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs in four states, as well as agreements with commercial payers and expansions for many of its existing ACOs.
"Aledade's growth in such a short amount of time demonstrates that there is a real thirst for a new model of primary care, one that empowers physicians to succeed," Farzad Mostashari, MD, CEO and co-founder of Aledade, said in a statement. "As we enter this next phase of growth, we will look for more opportunities for Aledade to enter new markets through public as well as private payers and partnerships that help our doctors deliver better outcomes, boost quality and lower costs."
While expanding rapidly, Aledade ACOs have also been able to improve quality. Its ACOs increased preventive care visits by 251 percent and transitional care services by 175 percent in 2015, in addition to driving down emergency department visits, hospital visits and readmission rates.
The company credits its growth to several venture capital firms, including Venrock, ARCH Venture Partners and Biomatics Capital, as well as its staff.
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