Wellmark and Genesis Health System Enter into Accountable
Care Organization
Genesis is first ACO in the Quad Cities region
Press Release, June 5, 2012
Today, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa officially announced a collaboration with
Genesis Health System in Davenport to create an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). The
new ACO will focus on coordinating patient care to improve quality, provide greater value, and
slow increases in health care costs.
Genesis Health System President and CEO, Doug Cropper, said he looks forward to seeing
improvements in the quality and reductions in the cost of care, adding, "This collaboration is the
next important step of a process that began for Genesis two years ago when we made the
commitment to participate in the transformation of health care. Wellmark and Genesis have a
long, shared collaboration of serving our customers and patients with a high quality of care and a
high level of efficiency.”
In an ACO, providers assume responsibility for managing a population of patients, both who are
healthy and those who are in need of care, no matter where in the system the patients receive
care. Wellmark offers the providers financial rewards if they reach established quality goals and
slow the rate in increase in health care spend in caring for these patients. At the same time,
providers will not earn their financial incentive if their quality declines or their costs run higher
than expected.
John Forsyth, Wellmark chairman and CEO said, “Wellmark is pleased to enter into this ACO
agreement with Genesis Health System, to improve the health care experience, and to help slow
the rate of cost increases. This ACO was created to keep healthy people well and improve
outcomes for our members when they need care.”
The ACO will enhance Wellmark members’ care in a variety of ways:
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Providers encouraging their patients to take an active role in their health care.
Continued freedom to see the doctors of their choice.
Seamless customer experience when setting up an appointment, seeing multiple
doctors, and receiving follow up care.
A reduction of redundant care and services.
"This has been an extensive and rewarding process,” said William Langley, M.D., executive
director of the Genesis Accountable Care Organization. “Since Genesis made the commitment
to form an ACO two years ago, we have advanced to the point that it’s now a reality. We are
looking forward to collaborating with Wellmark to keep the population we serve healthy."
About Wellmark
Wellmark, Inc. (www.Wellmark.com) does business as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Iowa. Wellmark and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, including Wellmark Blue Cross and
Blue Shield of South Dakota and Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc., insure or pay health benefit
claims for more than 2 million members in Iowa and South Dakota. Wellmark Blue Cross and
Blue Shield of Iowa, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota, and Wellmark
Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Association. Contact: Courney Greene, 515-988-0918, greenecm@wellmark.com
About Genesis Health System
Genesis Health System, its affiliates and partners offer a full continuum of health care services
for a 12-county region of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Genesis hospital affiliates include:
Acute and tertiary hospital care at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport and DeWitt, Iowa and at
the Illini Campus in Silvis, Illinois. Genesis also manages hospitals in Maquoketa, Iowa and
Aledo, Ill. Genesis also offers home health and hospice services through Genesis VNA and
Hospice; Genesis Workplace Services; Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House; senior living facilities
offering rehabilitation and long-term care; Genesis Health Group, with more nearly 170 primary
care physicians and specialists; the Genesis Quad Cities Family Practice Residency program.
For more information, visit our Web site at www.genesishealth.com. Contact: Craig Cooper,
563-421-9263, cooperc@genesishealth.com
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