Collaborative Health Systems, a WellCare Health Plans, Inc. company (NYSE: WCG), and Summit Medical Group, a physician-led organization, announced today the formation of the Accountable Care Coalition of Tennessee (ACC Tennessee). This new coalition will participate in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Next Generation Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Model and expects to serve more than 21,000 Medicare Fee-For-Service beneficiaries in greater Knoxville.

Medicare ACOs are groups of doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers who come together voluntarily to provide coordinated high-quality care to their Medicare beneficiaries, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of services and preventing medical errors. The Next Generation ACO Model is a value-based payment model that encourages providers to assume greater risk and reward for improving the quality and reducing the cost of healthcare of Medicare Fee-For- Service beneficiaries.

Under the Next Generation ACO Model, ACC Tennessee’s 88 primary care physicians will have financial incentives and tools at their disposal to engage beneficiaries in their healthcare and provide innovative care. For instance, telemedicine services will be a covered benefit and will allow physicians to offer care through telephonic communications. Enhanced access to skilled nursing facilities will enable beneficiaries to enter a facility without a three-day inpatient hospital stay.

ACC Tennessee’s selection to participate in the Next Generation ACO Model recognizes the success Summit Medical Group has had in coordinating their patients’ care. Jeffrey Stevens, M.D., member of the ACC Tennessee Management Committee and Summit Medical Group board chair, said Summit’s dedicated primary care physicians look forward to collaborating with Collaborative Health Systems (CHS) to improve how they deliver care.

“Our physicians are always eager to learn new ways to connect with their patients and help them take charge of their care,” Stevens said. “The Next Generation ACO Model gives us the tools and the flexibility to transform our practices so we can deliver exceptional care, reduce duplicative tests, and focus on prevention and coordination, while reducing overall healthcare spending.”

“As a physician-led organization with many years of experience in quality and value-based care programs, Summit Medical Group is positioned to advance the Next Generation ACO Model in East Tennessee, improving patient outcomes