CVS Accountable Care Organization, Inc., a division of the CVS Health family of businesses, announced via a Jan. 23 press release it has entered a partnership with RUSH University System for Health (RUSH) to expand access for Medicare patients to RUSH clinical services in the Chicago area. The collaboration is based on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) redesigned direct contracting model, ACO Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (REACH).
The press release states that “The collaboration enables patients seeking health services at various ACO REACH-participating MinuteClinic® locations in Chicago and Evanston to access care with RUSH and other ACO REACH entities for follow-up primary and specialty care. MinuteClinic locations offer in-person and virtual care seven days a week, with same-day appointments and extended hours.”
Further, “To fulfill the organizations’ shared commitment to delivering accessible, affordable, coordinated and equitable care, RUSH will be the only Chicago-area academic medical center participant in CVS ACO REACH’s first Accountable Care Organization (ACO) based on the REACH model. ACO REACH prioritizes health equity and the reduction of unnecessary medical costs by moving patients away from Medicare’s fee-for-service system and toward value-based care.”
RUSH has had success in the Medicare Shared Savings Program and the agreement builds on that achievement. Customized support will be available for Medicare patients who need it, according to the release, including home-based care, transportation services, and cost sharing. CVS Health and RUSH have both committed to reducing health inequities that result in unequal health outcomes.
Omar Lateef, M.D., RUSH president and CEO was quoted in the release saying that “RUSH has a long-held commitment to improving the health of the communities we serve. This agreement reflects that strong commitment and a terrific opportunity to build upon that foundation of strong community-based programs and partnerships and have impact for patients on day one.”
