Aetna Better Health, Virginia Community Health Centers partner to improve cancer outcomes in under-resourced communities
Aetna Better Health of Virginia, a CVS Health company, and Virginia Community Healthcare Association shared that Aetna provided $7.3 million in value-based care incentive payments to 22 Federally Qualified Health Centers, also known as Community Health Centers, in Virginia.
The funds aim to help health centers improve the quality of care by enabling their population health management programs and increasing screenings for diabetes and breast, cervical and colon cancers.
“Harmful disparities exist in health outcomes among minorities, the poor and those who live in rural communities,” said Tracy Douglas, CEO of Virginia Community Healthcare Association. “Those disparities, often related to social determinants of health, lead to suffering and death in patients, despite many having received intervention from our health centers. When VCHA learned that Aetna shared our desire to address these challenges, we saw an opportunity to facilitate conversations with our membership. As a result, most of our member health centers secured funds to bolster their capabilities to drive quality outcomes.”
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Value-based care arrangements align provider reimbursement with achieving healthcare quality measures, reducing healthcare costs and enabling providers to share in the cost savings. The health centers will use the funds primarily to modernize their electronic medical records and join VCHA’s population health platform, enabling them to broadly improve patient care, health outcomes and, in some cases, enhance their in-house cancer screening capabilities.
“Community Health Centers provide immeasurable value to the communities and members they serve—they enable access to care that otherwise would not exist for many under-resourced populations,” said Joel Gray, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Virginia. “The health centers also provide more than just health care services; they provide education and care that empowers people to have more control of their health. We feel confident this partnership will drive improved health outcomes for our members, as well as increase access to important health screenings and other preventive care services.”
“Thanks to the incredible work of Virginia Community Health Centers and Aetna Better Health, our rural and under-resourced communities across the Commonwealth will receive more funds, support, and resources to improve patient care and health outcomes,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “We've seen their transformative partnership at work in the Petersburg community, hosting over 25 community events. Through these important measures in Petersburg and across the Commonwealth, we are that much closer to a healthier Virginia.”
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“Community Health Centers operate on razor-thin margins,” added Douglas. “The funds provided through these incentives allow our health centers to move closer to value-based care without diverting operational dollars from patient care.”