RICHARDSON, Texas, Jan. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) launched three new physician-led Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) on January 1, 2015. The new ACOs are the latest demonstration of BCBSTX's efforts to work with physician leaders who share the goals of increased quality and cost-effective care.

Physicians participating in these new BCBSTX ACOs will have the tools and resources they need to deliver cost-effective, high quality care.

BCBSTX members will benefit because their doctors will be part of a team that will provide improved, coordinated care for patients.  

"The three new BCBSTX ACOs reflect our commitment to working with physician leaders to help their practices evolve to a value-based care model that supports their efforts to increase quality and manage costs to better serve their patients," said Jack Towsley, Divisional Senior Vice President, Texas Health Care Delivery, BCBSTX. "We value these leaders and appreciate our shared commitment to serving our members with the resources that can lead to better health outcomes for broad health populations."

The three new ACOs are in partnership with the following practice groups:

• Austin Regional Clinic with locations in Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Hutto and Kyle). This group includes 420 physicians and serves approximately 25,000 ACO members.
• Catalyst Health Network, serves patients throughout DFW. This fast growing network currently includes 60 physicians and approximately 10,000 ACO members.
• Southwest Provider Accountable Care in Austin. This group includes 90 physicians and serves approximately 10,000 ACO members.

"Austin Regional Clinic has a four-year history of working closely with BCBSTX to provide benchmark care management to approximately 25,000 ACO patients. This program has greatly facilitated our ability to coordinate and improve patient outcomes," said Dr. Anas Daghestani, Director of Population Health and Clinical Quality. "Our clinical care teams now have timely access to relevant patient information that supports and enhances our established and long-term patient relationships."

"Catalyst Health Network is proud to partner with BCBSTX in this physician-led ACO as the next step toward transforming the health and well being of our communities. Together, we're enabling a team-based care approach to improve patient outcomes at a reasonable cost by combining technological resources with patient-centered care," said Christopher Crow, M.D., President, Catalyst Health Network.

"Establishing an ACO with BCBSTX allows our Southwest Provider Accountable Care physicians to focus on value of services instead of the volume of services, and gives us new opportunities and resources to build upon our commitment to providing our patients with the best care possible at the right cost," said Dr. Kevin Spencer, President, Southwest Provider Accountable Care.

BCBSTX Commitment to Value-Based Care

BCBSTX's new physician-centric ACOs will increase access to value-based care across the state. Value-based care models promote a collaborative approach to health care that aims to improve quality and outcomes while minimizing the total cost of care. Value-based care increases the coordination of care by providing physicians the right information to manage the value of the patient's care. Patients realize better health through more personalized support and improved treatment plan adherence, which leads to higher patient satisfaction and reductions in adverse health care events such as ER visits and hospital admissions.

BCBSTX will continue to build its value-based care programs through partnerships, products and strategic alliances -- all with the goal of realigning the focus of our health care system from volume of services to value of services through coordinated patient care. Patients will benefit from enhanced use of clinical data and coordinated information to drive medical care decision-making, which will result in cost effective, quality care and increased patient satisfaction.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) – the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas – is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and 500 hospitals to serve 5 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

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