As we develop our programs here, we will share any news.
Our Health Information Exchange, the first in our region, became operational in June 2013, and is now connecting our doctors together. This allows our doctors to share information, when needed, in order to promptly address your health issues. We feel that enabling prompt communication between medical offices allows us to deliver care when you need it, and where you need it.
Local Healthcare Providers Participating in Amarillo Legacy Medical ACO
Amarillo, Texas ---- BSA Physicians Group, BSA Harrington Physicians, and BSA Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic will participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program as part of the Amarillo Legacy Medical Accountable Care Organization (ALMA), beginning January 1, 2015.
The 82 physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in BSA Health System’s three physician groups will participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program with the 120 current providers of ALMA. BSA’s clinic locations include BSA Urgent Care, BSA Family Medical Clinic, BSA Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic, BSA Panhandle Ear Nose and Throat, BSA Amarillo Surgical Group, and the BSA Harrington Physicians.
The Amarillo Legacy Medical ACO currently includes Amarillo Medical Specialists, Amarillo Family Physicians, Family Medicine Center of Amarillo, Family Medicine Center of Canyon, FMC Clinics (including CareXpress and Living Well Express Care), Panhandle Pediatric Group, Dr. Cindy Hutson, Southwest Neuroscience and Spine Center, Panhandle Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Cardiology Center of Amarillo.
Accountable care organizations are groups of independent practices that work together to provide efficient, high quality, and coordinated care for the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries they serve.
Established in August 2012, Amarillo Legacy Medical ACO is the Amarillo area’s first and only ACO, and has participated in the Medicare Shared Savings Program since January 2013. ALMA is a partnership between multiple independent medical practices designed to improve care for Medicare beneficiaries and the community, and to lower healthcare costs. ALMA was successful in its 2013 cost savings efforts, generating savings of almost $4.9 million and successfully reporting the quality criteria outlined in the program.
14,372 Medicare fee-for-service patients in the Amarillo area are attributed to primary care physicians who participate in the Amarillo Legacy Medical ACO.
Bob Williams, President and CEO of BSA Health System said, “We are pleased that the Amarillo Legacy Medical ACO has agreed to add the BSA providers. This addition will benefit the ACO, BSA and their patients.”
Dr. William Biggs, CEO and Medical Director of ALMA, said, “Accountable care organizations require a robust network of primary care and specialist physicians to better manage the health of our population. The addition of the BSA medical groups to
our Medicare Shared Savings Program panel is designed to improve care coordination, enhance primary care delivery, and reduce wasteful duplicate services.”
ACO providers must meet quality standards to ensure that savings are achieved through improving care coordination and providing care that is appropriate, safe and timely. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has established 33 quality measures on care coordination and patient safety, appropriate use of preventive health services, improved care for at-risk populations and patient and caregiver experience of care. Federal savings from this initiative are up to $940 million over four years.
Contact information:
BSA- Mary Barlow (806) 212-5921
ALMA – William Biggs (806) 677-2022