The Hawaii Medical Service Association, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and Honolulu-based Queen's Health Systems, have signed a three-year contract to base hospital rewards on quality and safety, according to an HMSA news release.
Under the agreement, hospitals and physicians will be rewarded for integrated care that improves outcomes and controls costs.
Although the release does not mention the formation of an accountable care organization, the shift from quantity to quality is a hallmark of the ACO system.
Read the release on Hawaii Medical Service Association and the Queen's Health Systems.
Read more coverage on accountable care organizations:
- Proposed Rule Assumes Most Beneficiaries Won't be Assigned to ACOs
- Cigna ACO Pilots Show Improved Quality, Costs
- 50 Things to Know About the Proposed ACO Regulations
Under the agreement, hospitals and physicians will be rewarded for integrated care that improves outcomes and controls costs.
Although the release does not mention the formation of an accountable care organization, the shift from quantity to quality is a hallmark of the ACO system.
Read the release on Hawaii Medical Service Association and the Queen's Health Systems.
Read more coverage on accountable care organizations:
- Proposed Rule Assumes Most Beneficiaries Won't be Assigned to ACOs
- Cigna ACO Pilots Show Improved Quality, Costs
- 50 Things to Know About the Proposed ACO Regulations