Seventeen Anthem Blue Cross ACOs in California together generated $70.4 million savings over a 12 month period, while improving on a number of quality metrics.
The savings for each ACO were calculated by comparing a 12-month period to the medical group's cost trend for the 12 months prior. However, because the ACOs launched at different times, the 12-month cost trends are staggered throughout the calendar year, with the most recent results collected from a period ending Sept. 30.
"Anthem Blue Cross is committed to providing access to high quality and affordable healthcare through deep collaboration with healthcare providers," Brian Ternan, president of Anthem Blue Cross, said in a statement. "With the analytical and monetary resources provided by Anthem Blue Cross, our provider partners are able to accurately target members who are likely to need additional care and treat them before a health concern becomes a health emergency."
Most of the ACOs (12 of 17) increased hemoglobin testing for adults with diabetes, 11 groups increased the percentage of well-child visits for children between 3 and 6 years old and nine groups increased Chlamydia screenings in sexually active women between ages 16 and 24.
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