Raleigh, N.C.-based WakeMed Health & Hospitals and Key Physicians, a group of more than 220 independent physicians in North Carolina, have signed a letter of intent to form an accountable care organization called WakeMed Key Community Care.
The ACO is applying to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program with a start date of Jan. 1, 2014.
All of Key Physicians' and WakeMed Physician Practices' affiliated primary care practices are designated by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as patient-centered medical homes, a fundamental building block of accountable care and ACOs.
"WakeMed Key Community Care brings together a significant network of established community-based, independent primary care physicians with a large independent health system that serves as the leading provider of inpatient, outpatient and physician services in Wake County," Bill Atkinson, MD, president and CEO of WakeMed, said in the news release.
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