Holy Cross Physician Partners (HCPP) has begun recruiting physicians into its clinically integrated network. Created in December 2011, HCPP is a response to a national reimbursement system that is shifting from a volume centric model to one based on performance where healthcare providers are held accountable for outcome and efficiency.

 

"Participation is open to independent physicians in our community as well as those employed in the Holy Cross Medical Group," said HCPP Medical Director, Kenneth Homer, M.D. "Physicians will oversee the negotiation of contracts and determine the targeted quality metrics and the distribution of the performance dollars."

 

Participants in HCPP agree to: the collecting and sharing of clinical data; working on clinical improvement efforts; a willingness to adopt common information systems; participating in pay-for-performance contracts; and abiding by agreed upon requirements for clinical practice.

 

While not an Accountable Care Organization, a fundamental element of the Patient Protection and Affordability Act, the HCPP will develop the necessary infrastructure to evolve into such an entity should it elect to do so in the future.

 

HCPP governance and decision making will be made by a physician-dominated operating committee and subcommittees in quality, finance and contracting that will be comprised of independent and Holy Cross Hospital employed primary care and specialty physicians. A Board of Directors will be comprised of physicians, Holy Cross Hospital administration and members of the community.

 

Information technology will be a key part of HCPP’s success and the sharing of clinical outcomes through a web-based quality reporting system will provide HCPP physicians and their staff vital information for assuring that patients receive the best available care and service. The system will also provide a new level of transparency enabling the creation of quality performance reports as well as peer and national performance comparison.

 

Medical cost savings will come from a reduction in hospitalizations, elimination of redundant studies and testing, elimination of multiple pay for performance programs and better patient outcomes through application of best practices of care.