By Daniel Casciato
In an era where healthcare systems often seem overwhelming and impersonal, Wellvana, a primary care and management services organization (MSO) headquartered in Nashville, is taking a different approach.
Through its partnership with South Florida’s healthcare providers, Wellvana focuses on re-engaging communities, educating patients, and empowering primary care physicians. At the helm of this mission is Readus Smith, Market President – National Partnerships at Wellvana, whose passion for community-centered healthcare drives significant change, particularly in underserved areas.
A Community-Centric Mission
“Our company is a large MSO/primary care organization, and one of the missions we’re focusing on this year is getting back into the communities,” Smith explains.
Wellvana has entered into a decade-long agreement with the largest Pentecostal and Christian denomination in the U.S., which comprises around 14,000 congregations, to ensure that community members are aware of the healthcare facilities and plans available to them.
A stark reality drives the initiative: many communities, especially underserved ones, lack primary care resources. “The hospitals have taken over a large population of the physician groups, and we’ve taken the community doctors out of the communities—it’s hurt us,” Smith notes. This disconnection has led to significant gaps in preventive care and chronic disease management.
Smith’s role as Secretary of General Health and Business for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) has given him a unique perspective on community challenges. With over 6 million members, including 1.8 million seniors, COGIC provides a broad platform for healthcare outreach. Yet, despite these numbers, only 33% of these seniors were familiar with Medicare Advantage and its options.
“We’re trying to put the care back in the physician and nurse practitioner’s hands and give people that option on a first-line defense,” says Smith.
Overcoming Challenges in Implementation
Smith shares that one of the major challenges Wellvana has faced is earning the trust of physicians. Many have been jaded by past experiences and false promises, making it difficult to convince them that a new model can work. However, Smith remains optimistic.
“You give me 10 doctors who believe and are willing to do the work, and I’ll show you 10 successful practices,” he asserts.
Wellvana’s approach is grounded in simplicity and care. They aim to change the model and improve healthcare outcomes by focusing on providing proper care without exorbitant costs.
“Our biggest challenge is, can you believe in what we’re doing, and can you work toward it?” Smith asks.
Leveraging Technology for Better Outcomes
Wellvana distinguishes itself through its use of advanced analytics and data systems to improve healthcare delivery.
“We have a very strong analytics and data system,” Smith explains. This system tracks each doctor’s performance, patient needs, and real-time coding accuracy. For instance, it can identify if a patient is overdue for an annual wellness visit or if discrepancies in their care need to be addressed.
One standout feature of Wellvana’s approach is its high-touch care management, which Smith describes as “utilization on steroids.” This proactive system goes beyond merely tracking patients; it seeks to understand and resolve the root causes of frequent emergency room visits or other costly healthcare behaviors.
Smith recalls a case where a woman visited the ER 37 times in 98 days simply because she didn’t know of alternative options like urgent care. After Wellvana intervened, she hasn’t been back to the ER since.
Benefits for Providers and Patients
Wellvana’s model benefits both providers and patients by fostering education and accountability.
“We make it so that the provider understands his responsibility, but we also educate the patient,” says Smith. By ensuring patients understand the importance of preventive care, like annual wellness visits, Wellvana helps reduce the long-term costs associated with untreated conditions.
The results speak for themselves. “I have taken some doctors’ readmission rates down 39% in the first six months,” Smith proudly shares. This success is a testament to Wellvana’s commitment to educating patients and holding providers accountable.
A Call to Action
As Wellvana continues to expand its reach, Smith emphasizes the importance of community engagement. “Let’s get back engaged. Let’s get back to the table. Let’s work together to develop a valuable solution that can work for the patients, doctors, plans and coding teams,” he urges.
Smith’s message is clear: the healthcare system can work for everyone, but it requires a collective effort. By bringing primary care back to the forefront and prioritizing community needs, Wellvana is leading the charge in transforming healthcare delivery in South Florida and beyond.
In a final reflection, Smith draws a parallel between the hospitality and healthcare industries, emphasizing the importance of choice and engagement.
“There’s no difference in the hotel industry and the hospital industry, but one difference: people go to hospitals because they have to, people go to hotels because they want to. We need to get those two back on the same track.”
For more information, visit wellvana.com.
