Value-based specialty care programs: Focus on cardiology

As a means of improving health outcomes, increasing member and provider satisfaction, and reducing the high cost of care, CDPHP is investing in its network specialists by creating a number of value-based specialty care programs. The initiative, which builds on the strategies applied to our Enhanced Primary Care program, affords our specialty care providers increased clinical administrative, financial, and educational support. Initially, the focus will be on six specialties, including cardiology, nephrology, behavioral health, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, and pulmonology.

In the cardiology space, we have implemented several programs to enhance the quality of cardiac care our members receive, as well as to increase their access to care. To accomplish that, we have:

• Waived or reduced cost share for eligible members with congestive heart failure.
  
• Incentivized cardiology specialists to educate their patients about the value of cardiac rehab services, and collaborated with Moving Analytics to offer eligible members a virtual cardiac rehab program that can be completed at home, at their convenience, and at no or reduced out-of-pocket cost.
  
• Secured a grant for ReDS devices, which measure lung fluid, to be used by area hospitals and specialty practices to evaluate patients with heart failure.
  
• Established a plan, in partnership with QURE Healthcare^TM, to offer our network cardiology specialists a collaborative way – using clinical simulations – to keep pace with national best-practice guidelines for cardiac care. As part of this project, participants will have the opportunity to earn continuing medical education credits.

As more of our value-based specialty programs develop and evolve, we will continue to keep our specialty providers apprised of the opportunities open to them.