GW Health Network (Health Alliance ACO, LLC) is a January 1, 2018, Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) Accountable Care Organization (ACO) established to improve the delivery of coordinated healthcare to Medicare beneficiaries treated by GW Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) in conjunction with The George Washington University Hospital. Services provided by GW Health Network will focus on the three-part aim of improving patient experience/satisfaction, population health, and healthcare value. By promoting ACO components of beneficiary engagement, evidence based medicine, care plan coordination, enhanced prevention, and chronic disease management, GW MFA providers will be better equipped to give high quality and coordinated care to its Medicare beneficiaries.

To optimize outcomes, GW Health Network includes all MFA primary care and specialist providers, as both are critical in coordinating comprehensive healthcare. To deliver accountable care, GW Health Network empowers primary care and specialist providers to communicate closely with one another and create personalized healthcare plans addressing the unique healthcare needs of each of its assigned Medicare beneficiaries. GW Health Network is committed to providing patients with the right care, at the right place and time to improve the quality, coordination, and efficiency of care delivered to its Medicare beneficiaries.

To strengthen the patient and provider relationship with a focus on primary care to enhance prevention, chronic disease management and improve patient-centered health outcomes

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has established the Medicare Shared Savings Program to help Medicare fee-for-service program providers become Accountable Care Organizations (ACO). ACOs are groups of doctors, hospitals, and suppliers who have come together to improve Medicare beneficiary outcomes through promoting coordinated and accountable care. An ACO will ensure patients get the right care at the right time, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of services and tests. ACOs that deliver high-quality care and lower their growth in healthcare costs will share in the savings they achieve for the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has established a Medicare Shared Savings Program (Shared Savings Program) to facilitate coordination and cooperation among providers to improve the quality of care for Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) beneficiaries and reduce unnecessary costs. Eligible providers, hospitals, and suppliers may participate in the Shared Savings Program by creating or participating in an Accountable Care Organization (ACO).

The Shared Savings Program is designed to improve beneficiary outcomes and increase value of care by:

—Promoting accountability for the care of Medicare FFS beneficiaries

—Requiring coordinated care for all services provided under Medicare FFS

—Encouraging investment in infrastructure and redesigned care processes

The Shared Savings Program will reward ACOs that lower their growth in health care costs while meeting performance standards on quality of care and putting patients first. Participation in an ACO is purely voluntary.

For additional information about the Shared Savings Program, visit:
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/sharedsavingsprogram/index.html?redirect=/sharedsavingsprogram/