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Since 2008, HeartWell LLP, a 23-physician cardiology practice in South Miami-Dade County, has been providing its patients with high-quality care. And while its patients certainly appreciate the personal attention and positive outcomes, the practice’s patient-centered focus also caught the attention of Orange Accountable Care of South Florida. 

In April, HeartWell was selected as a preferred provider for cardiac care by the Accountable Care Organization (ACO), which was founded in 2014 and has grown from 70 providers to more than 500 participating physicians. The ACO is known for its focus on high-quality, cost-effective outcomes and patient-centered care. Through this relationship, more than 5,000 patients are expected to benefit from extended access to services including clinical, vascular, interventional and electrophysiology at Baptist Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, South Miami Hospital and Homestead Hospital.  

“We’re very pleased to be working with Orange Accountable Care of South Florida, which last year was named one of the top 10 highest-saving ACOs in the nation out of 393 ACOs, with one of the highest quality scores,” said HeartWell COO Jeffrey Kaplan. “There are a lot of benefits to the premier cardiac care group in the Miami market joining forces with the premier ACO in the region.”
 
Referring physicians know that Orange ACO-selected specialists have proven track records for improving the health of their patients, which gives them the confidence that they are helping to promote better outcomes. Patients will benefit from having an added layer of transparency among their primary-care physicians, cardiac specialists, and ACO care coordinators to make certain that there are not any gaps in care.
 
“Working with Orange will enable us to continue ensuring that our patients are receiving the best possible care,” said Kaplan.
 
“We choose to work with practices that put the patient in the center of care, which is why we’re thrilled that HeartWell—which is made up of extremely well-regarded cardiologists—has become one of our preferred providers,” said Orange’s founder, president and CEO, Lissette Exposito, RN, BSN, MHSA.
 
HeartWell has already seen the positive synergy that can result when medical professionals band together. The practice was originally created by the merger of six competing cardiology practices in the Miami-Dade area who realized that they could all benefit by taking a team approach to patient care, working with hospitals and managed care while still maintaining a focus on quality.
 
“Having HeartWell as part of our growing network of preferred providers is great for the community,” said Exposito, adding that the tri-county ACO has the highest patient population in South Miami-Dade County. “They are a great driver for us to maintain our focus on quality versus volume.”