The FUHN Clinically Integrated Network's (CIN) engagement with Wellvana, a value-based care enablement company that helps primary care practices dive into value-based care by assuming financial risk, went live in January 2025. In healthcare, “value-based care” balances cost and quality, focusing on preventive care measures, care coordination, and unnecessary hospitalizations.
The agreement with Wellvana allows FUHN member clinics to join either a basic Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) or an Accountable Care Organization Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (ACO REACH) Program. Wellvana also brings training, education, and other resources for providers and clinic staff to be successful in Medicare shared savings arrangements. The agreement includes Medicare fee-for-service patients, not Medicare Advantage. The CIN FUHN established in January 2024 allows the organization to contract with national partners like Wellvana to create value-based payment arrangements.
The MSSP helps move the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services payment system toward prioritizing value and outcomes instead of volume. Similarly, the REACH Model encourages healthcare providers – including primary and specialty care doctors, hospitals, and others – to come together to form an ACO to break down silos and deliver high-quality coordinated care to patients, improving health outcomes and helping to manage costs.
“Value-based care arrangements and Medicare Shared Savings have been in place for more than a decade and participation continues to grow rapidly,” said Mary Maertens, executive director of FUHN. “While Medicare recipients represent a small patient population for our clinics, we are excited to engage with a national partner like Wellvana and learn from their expertise in value-based care.”
The member clinics of the FUHN CIN include: Axis Medical, Community-University Health Care Center, Community Health Service Inc., Indian Health Board, Native American Community Clinic, Neighborhood Healthsource, Open Cities Health Center, Open Door Health Center, People’s Center Clinics & Services, Riverland Community Health, and Southside Community Health Services.