Alabama-based Infirmary Health’s Physicians Joining Ochsner’s ACO

Infirmary Health, Alabama's largest private nonprofit healthcare provider, is partnering with Louisiana-based Ochsner Health’s Accountable Care Network (OACN) ACO. The partnership aims to improve health outcomes for seniors across the Gulf Coast region.

Ochsner is an integrated healthcare system with more than 37,000 employees and over 4,700 employed and affiliated physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties. It operates 46 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Gulf South. 

Infirmary Health comprises three acute-care hospitals, one long-term acute-care hospital, two post-acute rehabilitation facilities, more than 60 physician practice locations, two freestanding emergency departments and other affiliates.

Infirmary Health physicians will join more than 2,250 physicians already participating in the OACN to provide coordinated care to Medicare patients. The collaboration will focus on sharing clinical best practices, improving patient experiences, coordinating comprehensive care services, leveraging advanced data analytics, and providing population health support programs for seniors.

“Infirmary Health’s commitment to providing the highest quality healthcare in the safest environment has remained the cornerstone of this organization throughout its 113-year history,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Stough, in a statement. "This partnership with Ochsner allows us to combine our strengths with like-minded physician groups across the Gulf South and deliver on our commitment to seniors in our respective communities."

OACN, headquartered in New Orleans, said it recently achieved its seventh consecutive year of top-ranking results in both clinical performance and healthcare savings for the Medicare population in its care, as reported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In 2022, OACN's participating clinicians reduced the expected cost of care by over $27 million for more than 52,000 Medicare beneficiaries. Over the last seven years, OACN said, it has boosted health outcomes and reduced healthcare spending by more than $127 million.

“We’re excited for Infirmary Health to join Ochsner Accountable Care Network,” said Beau Raymond, M.D., medical director and executive director for OACN, in a statement. “Infirmary Health has a reputation for high-quality, compassionate care that aligns with OACN values. By working together, we can better coordinate and ensure preventative care and management of chronic conditions for the people of the Gulf South.”

A priority of the collaboration is to provide comprehensive and well-coordinated services tailored for seniors across the continuum of care. This includes support services, social workers and nurse care managers to address the unique needs of patients outside of the hospital or clinic – particularly those with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

“Our ultimate goal is to improve the affordability of healthcare while continually improving the quality of care for our patients,” added Raymond.