ACOs in the News: Aetna enters accountable care collaboration with Banner Health

Aetna enters accountable care collaboration with Banner Health, introduces Aetna Whole Health

Aetna Inc (Hartford, CT) announced an accountable care collaboration with Banner Health (Phoenix, AZ), as well as the introduction of a new commercial healthcare product, Aetna Whole Health, that will offer access to highly coordinated care in the Banner Health network of facilities and physicians. The Banner Health network is comprised of Banner-employed and affiliated physicians and hospitals in Arizona, and is a new accountable care organization (ACO) focused on improving patient care outcomes through better coordination and access to patient information. The network is also a fully integrated delivery system that is able to connect patients and network providers via an enhanced electronic medical records (EMR) system in real-time. Aetna Whole Health members within the network will reap the following benefits: pay less out of pocket; receive a more coordinated approach to managing their chronic conditions; and have access to Aetna’s online tools. The new product will be made available to Maricopa County and some Pinal County employers in late November 2011. The accountable care collaboration will involve the implementation of a risk-sharing agreement that compensates and rewards Banner Health based on achieving certain quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction measures.