agilon health Achieves 20 Percent Boost In Closing Care Gaps By Using Physician And Member Incentives For Preventive Care

LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- agilon health, which helps physicians and medical groups manage the leap from fee-for-service to value-based care by providing financial, organizational and operational tools, has released its 2017 outcomes report that revealed it closed about 20 percent more gaps in care with a partner IPA in the Inland Empire that serves Medicaid enrollees.  

By implementing teams of member quality specialists to increase participation in preventive services such as screenings and annual health checks, agilon health closed more than 65,000 gaps in care during 2017 for its Inland Empire-based Medicaid patients, the report highlights.  Based upon this initial success, the most effective tactics have now been implemented across agilon health's entire Medi-Cal population, which extends into the Central Valley.

"Gaps in care push up costs for Medicaid patients," said Ronald Kuerbitz, chief executive officer, agilon health. "If patients do not get preventive services, they will more likely need costlier specialty or acute care down the road.  More importantly, preventive care saves lives."

By using unique incentives, improved communications and proprietary data collection tools for both the participating physicians and members to improve adherence with preventive services, agilon health achieved remarkable outcomes for Medicaid members, which traditionally have been reluctant to participate in preventive care services.  More than $1 million was distributed as bonuses to participating agilon physicians that closed care gaps and more than $60,000 was spent in gift cards which were used as an incentive for members.

"The fact is, incentives are quite effective in engaging both the physicians and members in preventive care compliance," said Manoj Mathew, MD, National Medical Director, agilon health.  "If all it takes is offering a $25 Target gift card to incentivize a woman to come in and get her mammogram, we can influence health care behavior that can save lives. It is a small investment to ensure long-term quality of care and a better quality of life for our members, the majority of whom are from underserved communities."

The screening and health check performance for 2017 highlights the outcomes for breast cancer screening, diabetic eye screening, cervical cancer, childhood immunizations, adolescent immunizations, diabetic glucose monitoring, medication management, timely prenatal care, timely postpartum care and well child visits.

Among the more notable outcomes for 2017 included agilon health's quality performance for its diabetic members.  Eye screening adherence increased from 38 percent in 2016 to more than 50 percent for 2017. Glucose level screening increased from 42 percent to more than 50 percent during the same period.  In November of 2017, agilon health invested in two RetinaVue imaging devices.  By using telehealth resources with trained ophthalmologists, they were able to bring retinal eye screenings directly to its members through local IPA physician offices.  Through this service, eye diseases, such as macular degeneration and glaucoma, were identified early and members have been referred for further evaluation.

Besides introducing a new proprietary technology platform in 2017 that improved work flow, quality data collection and reporting, agilon health increased its quality care team to nine professionals who work daily on member engagement and care coordination.

To review the details of agilon health's quality outcome report for 2017, please visit www.agilonhealth.com/outcomes.

About agilon health

agilon health of Long Beach, California, a company founded in 2016 by world-class health care leaders, is helping U.S. physicians manage the leap from fee for service to value-based health care.  Recognizing the increasing pressure on physicians caused by the existing healthcare system, agilon health has created a complete operating platform for value-based healthcare that brings people, process and proprietary technology together in partnership with physicians to take responsibility for total healthcare spend.  The company has now expanded its operations to leading positions in six U.S. markets.   For more information visit www.agilonhealth.com. 

SOURCE agilon health

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https://www.agilonhealth.com