Community Health Centers of Pinellas’s ACO realizes reduction in ED utilization through CCM
Orb Health announced that it has released a 2019 Patient Outcomes study on the Chronic Care Management (CCM) program at Community Health Centers of Pinellas (CHCP) that showed a 54% decrease in emergency department (ED) visits for chronic care patients with six or more chronic conditions within nine months of implementation, resulting in $6.22 million of projected annual savings per 1,000 patients.
“CHCP is always looking for ways to decrease the cost of care, while also improving the patient experience, especially those with chronic disease,” said Elodie Dorso, CEO, Community Health Centers of Pinellas. “This dramatic reduction in costly ED and hospital re-admissions after only one year is encouraging for not only CHCP and our patients, but Florida’s entire federally qualified health centers (FQHC) community.”
In February 2018, Orb Health launched its Collaborative Virtual Care solution for CCM at CHCP. The solution works as a remote extension of the health system and integrates with the existing electronic medical record (EMR) system without requiring additional staff, systems or office space. CHCP’s patients were able to access Orb Health’s clinical care providers (operating in the name of CHCP), who check in between office visits and coordinate critical aspects of patient care, including appointment scheduling, specialist discovery, prescription refill and interaction management, condition education, 24/7 caregiver availability and more, as well as remotely monitor the patient’s vital information.
“Orb Health’s partnership with CHCP has proven how a collaboration-based approach can accelerate a highly capable and successful CCM program,” said Bryan Krastins, CEO, Orb Health, “Together, we’re not only able to make a significant difference in patients’ lives, but also help the health system increase their reimbursements, save costs, expand access and capacity and drive value-based care profitability in half the time, compared to the normal CMS return on investment of 18 months.”
By the end of 2018, not only has CHCP realized significant decreases in ED visits and chronic patient-related costs, but is also observing a 98% patient retention rate and 4.8 out of 5 stars in patient and provider satisfaction ratings.
