Cigna has launched its first collaborative accountable care initiative in Arkansas with Springdale-based PremierCare Northwest, a provider-owned network and collaborative effort between physicians and Northwest Health System.
CACs are the payer's version of an accountable care organization. The CAC launched Jan. 1 and covers about 5,000 Cigna members who receive care from PremierCare's more than 145 primary care and specialty physicians.
Through the initiative, PremierCare uses registered nurses as clinical care coordinators. The RNs are connected to a Cigna case manager to improve provider-payer collaboration.
PremierCare can be rewarded financially if it meets certain quality and cost goals, and Cigna will pay PremierCare for medical and care coordination services.
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