Atrius

Atrius Health has ended preferred relationships with hospitals when they didn't share its collaborative approach, he says.

The Model of the Future? Avery Johnson 2011

Organizations can try to limit their risk, as Atrius Health does, by accepting pay from some insurers for total care, and pay for services as performed from others.

The Model of the Future? Avery Johnson 2011

Atrius Health executives say the practice has improved quality of care across the organization.

The Model of the Future? Avery Johnson 2011

For the rest, when cost of a patient's care exceeds the limit set by the payor, Atrius Health has to cover the difference.

The Model of the Future? Avery Johnson 2011

Atrius Health reports it has been able to boost the number of patients receiving cholesterol screenings to 88% from 80% and the number of diabetics getting a certain blood test to 79% from 68%.

The Model of the Future? Avery Johnson 2011

One of the most prominent is Atrius Health of Newton, Mass., an alliance of five medical groups comprising more than 800 physicians, about 700,000 patients and 30-plus care centers in eastern Massachusetts.

The Model of the Future? Avery Johnson 2011

"An ACO is like a unicorn; everyone thinks they know what one is, but no one has ever seen one," says Gene Lindsey, president and chief executive of Atrius Health.

The Model of the Future? Avery Johnson 2011

Atrius Health is paid by health plans with traditional fee-for-service deals for about 50% of patients.

The Model of the Future? Avery Johnson 2011

Atrius Health recorded roughly $3.5 million in savings last year from this change alone.

The Model of the Future? Avery Johnson 2011

Mark Bogacz/Harvard Vanguard Derek Lichter, a nurse practitioner at an Atrius Health medical group, meets with a patient ACOs exist more on paper than in reality, for now.

The Model of the Future? Avery Johnson 2011