Altru, Medica partner to form accountable care organization

BY LISA GIBSON

Altru Health System, based in Grand Forks, N.D., and Minnetonka, Minn.-based Medica have teamed up to offer an accountable care organization (ACO) for group purchasers that will serve northwestern Minnesota and northeastern North Dakota. Altru & You with Medica will go into effect in the third quarter of this year and will improve care quality, service to patients and health care cost, says Dwight Thompson, treasurer and chief financial officer of Altru. ACOs, established in the Affordable Care Act to enhance Medicare options, assemble patients, health insurance companies and providers to align goals for health care. Altru & You with Medica features direct access to specialists without a referral. Members can easily schedule visits and work with health care coaches to set the proper care and treatment or work with insurance companies to clarify coverage, according to Thompson. “We all know employers are looking for ways to have healthier employees and reduce insurance premiums,” he says. ACOs have become an important and common part of health care, according to Altru. “As the health care landscape changes, we must change to best adapt to patients’ needs,” Thompson says in a statement. “Our relationship with Medica furthers creativity around clinical and service models, financial approaches, health and wellness services and patient engagement. While keeping patients at the center, our goal is to create better outcomes, a better experience and lower the overall cost of providing care.”

Altru & You with Medica allows access to care in more than 30 communities through 560 providers, in addition to regional access via telemedicine. That includes: discounted health coaching sessions, weight loss assistance, personalized bone and joint care, an online patient portal and online care.

“Medica and Altru share a commitment to deliver health care services that make our members and patients the centerpiece,” says Scott Reid, Medica vice president for commercial product and operations. “Combining our strengths through Altru & You with Medica delivers on that commitment and gives consumers the opportunity to directly experience benefits of our collaboration through the features and cost savings available when receiving health care through the ACO.” PB

Lisa Gibson Editor, Prairie Business 701.787.6753 lgibson@prairiebusinessmagazine.com