CareSource Enters Value-Based Agreement to Improve Pediatric Health Outcomes

CareSource has entered into a value-based agreement with a clinically integrated network to improve pediatric health outcomes for Georgians.

The partnership between the health plan and The Children’s Care Network (TCCN) will allow physicians to access data and analytics to better manage and coordinate patient care. Additionally, the resources will help physicians promote wellness visits to improve health outcomes for children.

“We are excited about this agreement with TCCN to improve outcomes for Georgia’s infants, children, and adolescents,” Jason Bearden, market president of CareSource Georgia, said in the press release. “Many of our young members are assigned to healthcare practices within TCCN, and we believe this will help them lead healthier lives.”

TCCN employs over 1,400 physicians, including more than 175 community practices and physicians from the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta network. The physician-led network was created through a partnership of community providers who aim to boost pediatric care quality and health outcomes in Georgia.

CareSource’s Medicaid managed care plan serves more than 500,000 Georgia residents.

The value-based agreement will take a proactive approach that emphasizes the importance of preventive care. CareSource and TCCN aim to address physical, social, emotional, developmental, and behavioral health conditions by promoting preventative services, such as screenings to identify at-risk children.

Increased preventive care can help detect conditions early, leading to timely intervention and treatment that provides a path to recovery and positive health outcomes.

“This agreement between TCCN and CareSource is an important step in facilitating high-quality care for our patients, providing value for our members, and promoting a sustainable clinical integration model” Brad Weselman, MD, executive director of TCCN, said. “Our mission is to preserve and support the highest quality of pediatric care for all Georgians.”

As the healthcare industry attempts to transition from fee-for-service models to value-based care, payers have been partnering with other healthcare organizations to help advance this shift.

For example, Humana recently announced value-based agreements with two durable medical equipment organizations to help improve home healthcare services for Medicare Advantage members. The payer aims to establish a comprehensive value-based home healthcare offering that covers 40 percent of Humana Medicare Advantage members by 2025.

Additionally, CVS Health’s accountable care organization (ACO) partnered with Catholic Health Physician Partner’s ACO for Medicare beneficiaries in Long Island, New York, through the ACO Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (REACH) program. The partnership aims to boost care coordination and provide beneficiaries with home-based care, transportation services for wellness visits, and other personalized support.