MONTHLY NEWS
 May |  2016

TOP STORY: MaineHealth ACO Awarded $70K for Improving Pediatric Referral Process

The MaineHealth ACO has been awarded a 70K grant to improve communication across pediatric and family medicine practices through the standardization of pediatric specialist referrals. The grant, awarded by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, will support a project focused on streamlining the pediatric referral process by standardizing the way in which Primary Care Physicians refer patients to pediatric specialists and how specialists, in turn, support primary care.


In This Issue
WHAT'S HOT: Important Updates

Medicare Proposes Sweeping Changes to Physician Payments 
On April 26 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a highly-anticipated proposed rule   outlining how the agency envisions implementing the Medicare physician payment reforms enacted as part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). With the passage of MACRA, Congress set Medicare on a path away from automatic, annual updates hampered by the threat of payment cuts under the flawed sustainable growth rate formula toward a system that focuses more on clinical quality and cost effectiveness. 

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FAST FIVE: ACO Spotlight

Meet Martha Ridge: Senior Director of Network Development & Management, MaineHealth ACO

Welcome to Fast Five: our monthly feature where we spotlight an individual connected with the MaineHealth ACO. This month we had a chance to catch up with Martha Ridge, Senior Director of Network Development and Management for five quick questions about the work she is doing with the ACO.


ACO: DID YOU KNOW?
Helpful Resources and Links to Keep You Informed

Annual Wellness Visit Toolkit Now Available for Your Practice! 
Did you know that Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) are the single most effective way to improve ACO performance? Not only are these visits free to patients, but AWVs can have a significant impact on cost savings and reduced utilization. And we have some information to help coordinate these visits for your practice! 

MOVING THE NEEDLE
Progress and Shared Success from the ACO
 
NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home Recognizes Two MaineHealth ACO Practices

Congratulations to the following practices for achieving NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home Recognition:

  • CCS Pediatrics in Lewiston (St. Mary's Health System): Level 1
    The following clinicians are linked to this recognition:
    • Jonathan Libby PNP
    • Stephanie Mellen FNP
    • Suzanne Stevenson CRNP
    • Leigh Sweet MD
    • Gerard Rubin DO
  • Southern Maine Health Care Internal Medicine in Kennebunk: Level 2
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?
Open Questions for the MaineHealth ACO Leadership

Each month, we'll post a question from you with a response from our leadership team. This month,  Jen Moore (COO),  Dr.  Betsy Johnson (CEO) and Dr. Jeff Aalberg (CMO) talk about capturing the voice of the provider.