Accurate and precise clinical documentation matters now more than ever. Brett Loffredo, MD, tells us why. Plus, Amy Mayhew, MD and Melissa Keeport, MD on a training and consultation project to help PCPs better address pediatric behavioral health.

BACON from the MaineHealth ACO

Clinical Documentation & Pediatric Behavioral Health

Participants in the ACO will receive millions of dollars in shared savings this year. That’s thanks to excellent performance in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. The ACO’s chief operating officer, Shannon Banks, provides the details. Also, Ross Feller, MD, is generating savings of his own by moving hand surgery out of the operating room. We learn how.

Sharing in Success

Our summer vacation episode features two popular stories from the past. First, we offer a reminder of what accountable care organizations do and why they do it. Second, we explore the advantages of telescribes with PenBay’s Brad Samojla, DPM.

What's the Point of an ACO, Anyway?

New MaineHealth CEO Andy Mueller, MD, shares his first impressions of the organization and his priorities going forward. Plus, Peggy Pennoyer, MD, and Don Endrizzi, MD, reflect on their experiences as volunteer COVID vaccinators.

New MaineHealth CEO Andy Mueller

MaineHealth ACO President Jen Moore talks to federal policy expert Blair Childs about the Biden Administration’s healthcare policy priorities, including telehealth and value-based care. Also, Memorial Hospital CMO Matt Dunn, MD, reports on a successful effort to increase primary care access in the North Conway area.

Nat'l Healthcare Policy & Local Primary Care Access Improvement

MaineHealth ACO Chief Medical Officer Rob Chamberlin, MD, joins us to reveal some of the fresh data readers will find in the ACO’s newly released annual report. Also, we talk to Andy Russ, MD, LincolnHealth’s VP for Medical Affairs, about his success keeping his regional medical community informed and connected during the pandemic.

A Peek Inside the ACO's New Annual Report

On the surface, Medicare Advantage Star Ratings simply allow consumers to compare the quality of Medicare Advantage insurance plans. But deeper down, Star Ratings also drive a complex financial system that includes incentives for providers. The ACO’s Lauren Purcell explains. Also, Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s Ted Logan, MD, on adapting substance use treatment to the new pandemic-driven reality.

Why Star Ratings Matter

MaineHealth ACO President Jennifer Moore reports on final cost, quality and utilization results from value-based contracts that settled in 2020. Also, LincolnHealth’s Timothy Goltz, MD, on the power of poetry to improve meetings.

The ACO's Latest Performance Results

Dora Anne Mills, MD, MaineHealth’s chief health improvement officer and former director of the Maine CDC, answers providers’ questions about vaccine availability and distribution in Maine (interview recorded on 1/25/21). Also, we explore a successful effort to establish “age-friendly care” at Maine Medical Center.

Dora Mills Answers COVID Vaccine Questions

The ACO has released Basics and Beyond, a series of clinical documentation guides that provide condition-specific advice on precision coding. In this episode, the ACO’s Eiren Menhennitt introduces the guides. Also, Dr. Scot Remick discusses new opportunities for Maine patients to participate in clinical trials.

New Clinical Documentation Guides

Next month, more than two dozen primary care practices participating in the ACO will join Primary Care First, a new Medicare program that uses a population-based payment model. Amol Navathe, MD, PhD, a health policy researcher and expert in the model, joins us to discuss. Also, MMC’s Gary Hocheiser, MD, introduces the MATRIx program, an effort to streamline the evaluation and care of patients with lung imaging findings.

Innovating Primary Care Payment

MaineHealth ACO Chief Medical Officer Rob Chamberlin, MD, joins Julie and Mike to explore financial and quality results just in from the 2019 performance year of the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Plus, Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s Mary Jean Mork discusses an innovative partnership between psychiatry and primary care. 

Our Medicare Shared Savings Program Results

With MaineHealth ACO President Jen Moore, Julie and Mike discuss the link between ACO participants’ performance in the Medicare Incentive-based Payment System (MIPS) and a bump in Medicare reimbursement. Also, Julie talks with Rob Doiron, MD, a Sanford native who has returned to his hometown to begin his general surgery career.

A Medicare Reimbursement Increase

We announce the projects that won innovation grants from the MaineHealth ACO this year and take a close look at one of them, an effort led by Maine Medical Partners dermatologist Elizabeth Seiverling, MD, to train and engage primary care providers in early detection of skin cancers.

Innovation Grant Winners

MaineHealth introduces a new searchable database of local socio-economic assistance programs and a LincolnHealth pediatric practice quickly stands up a curbside vaccination program during the pandemic.

Finding Community Resources & Curbside Vaccination

BACON is Brief ACO News for providers participating in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization. Drs. Mike Clark and Julie Grosvenor host. In less than 15 minutes, you'll get info that's relevant to your practice, meet fellow MaineHealth ACO providers and learn about upcoming events. And really, who doesn't love BACON?

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BACON from the MaineHealth ACO

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