PHX Reporter

PHOENIX — Banner Health Network (BHN) has been recognized for its financial performance and quality care in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), placing in the top 25% of accountable care organizations (ACOs) nationally. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported that BHN providers helped save millions by achieving cost and quality goals as part of the Advanced Track MSSP, which carries the highest level of financial risk.

According to Medicare data, BHN's quality score exceeded the average for all ACOs, ranking it among the top 25% nationwide. The scores are based on performance measures such as diabetes management, blood pressure control, breast cancer prevention, and cardiovascular disease prevention.

“Our group of physicians are truly exceptional as they continue to focus on helping Medicare save millions of dollars while also delivering quality care for our nearly 70,000 Medicare Fee-For-Service beneficiaries,” said Ed Clarke, MD, chief medical officer for Banner Health Plans and Networks division. “We’re always striving to meet or exceed quality and cost goals which can be complex and a herculean task since we serve the largest number of beneficiaries in Arizona.”

Earlier this year, BHN was featured in Becker’s Hospital Review's “44 ACOs to know” list. This list highlights ACOs that help patients and health systems save money while maintaining high-quality care at reduced costs.

In 2023 alone, BHN contributed $11 million in gross savings to Medicare resulting in an $8.1 million shared savings payment to BHN. Since partnering with federal agencies in 2012, BHN has generated over $215 million in savings for Medicare while maintaining high-quality scores consistently over 11 out of the past 12 years. These funds support the provider rewards program focused on incentivizing quality care and reducing avoidable expenses.

ACOs aim to provide a market-based solution to fragmented healthcare by empowering local physicians and hospitals to improve quality care while keeping it affordable. Through MSSP incentives, ACOs like BHN invest in transforming patient care by sharing savings generated after meeting defined goals.

BHN achieves results by encouraging annual wellness visits among beneficiaries along with recommended screenings and preventive services. It also ensures smooth transitions from hospital settings back home or into nursing facilities when necessary. Providers receive detailed reports on their performance against quality measures allowing them to share best practices aimed at coordinating patient care effectively across various primary and specialty providers.

The Banner Health MSSP Network comprises nearly 1,000 primary caregivers serving Maricopa County along with parts of Pinal County through both employed banner staffers as well community-based practitioners across Arizona neighborhoods offering highly coordinated experiences under government/private insurance plans managed within sophisticated technological frameworks supporting affordable access nationwide led via parent company initiatives operating extensively throughout six U.S states being notably large-scale nonprofit setups fostering comprehensive public welfare advancement endeavors today collectively moving forward together strategically aligned towards shared mission objectives achieving optimal societal benefits ultimately realized long-term future growth potentials unlocked innovatively tomorrow sustainably envisaged ambitiously evermore!