DENVER & LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Humana Medicare Advantage members in Colorado now have access to a new health care model known as value-based care, thanks to a relationship between population health leader FullWell and health and well-being leader Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM). The arrangement is designed to offer a more proactive and wellness-focused health care experience and financially reward doctors for high quality care.

This value-based agreement unites FullWell and Humana around the common goal of improving the health of the Humana Medicare members served in FullWell’s Colorado Health Neighborhoods Network member practices. Humana Medicare Advantage members will have access to more than 150 FullWell primary care providers in the Denver metro area.

In 2015, on average, Humana Medicare Advantage members served by providers under value-based care experienced: 6 percent fewer ER visits, higher screening rates, including those for colorectal cancer (+8 percent) and breast cancer (+6 percent), and healthier outcomes versus members who were treated by providers in standard Medicare Advantage settings.

“FullWell’s mission and vision is to enable physicians to succeed in the transition to value-based health care. In a time of change, uncertainty, and increasing administrative burden, FullWell provides population health capabilities that help providers offer high quality, affordable care to their patients and transform their practices,” said Dr. Creagh Milford, FullWell’s Chief Executive Officer.

Value-based care represents a significant shift from the historic model of health care known as fee-for-service, which focuses on the costly treatment of sickness instead of disease prevention and keeping people in good health. In the fee-for-service model, physicians are paid and incentivized based on volume (number of services they perform), not improved health outcomes for the patient. By contrast, transitioning to value-based payment models will ensure that physicians are reimbursed for the health outcomes of the patients they serve, not the number of services they provide. By focusing on quality and health, Humana experienced 20 percent lower costs in total in 2015 for members who were treated by providers in a value-based reimbursement model setting versus an estimation of original fee-for-service Medicare costs using CMS Limited Data Set Files.

“Our new agreement with FullWell is bolstering the future of health care right here to Colorado. We are proud to support FullWell in building upon what is already a well-integrated care delivery system by providing Humana’s care management support to the relationship,” said Mark Iorio, Central West Region Medicare President for Humana. “FullWell’s care teams are focused on coordinating care around each patient’s unique health needs. By working with Humana, we are helping to strengthen FullWell’s team-based approach to care delivery, providing useful information, incentives, and resources to help those teams operate at their very best.”

Industry Partnerships Homepage