Blog

We proudly support the many of our provider partners across the country who are providing essential care to those serving rural and underserved communities. McKenzie Health System is one such partner whose innovation in preventive health and wellness is making a meaningful impact in the lives of those they serve in Sanilac County, Michigan.  Here, McKenzie’s President and CEO, Steve Barnett, offers insights from his team's experience as an Accountable Care Organization -- and shares some strategies for success in rural communities.

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) have proven to help position providers, hospitals, and health systems enhance the patient experience, improve patient care outcomes, and lower or contain costs while generating new revenue. The success of value-based care has been so significant that in 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established a goal to have 100% of Original Medicare beneficiaries and the vast majority of Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in ACOs by 2030. 

In this first part of a two-part series, we identify financial opportunities that can lead to improved patient care outcomes. In the second part of the series, we will weigh the considerations of developing an effective return on investment (ROI) plan and the components necessary for success.

October is Health Literacy Month, which was established to highlight health literacy's vital role in improving patient care outcomes. In a recent whitepaper, Signify Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Value-based Care, Ashok Roy, MD, MPH, MBA, acknowledged the importance of health literacy and the fact that nine out of 10 American adults lack the skills required to effectively manage their health and prevent disease.

October is Health Literacy Month to help establish and celebrate the importance of making health information easy for patients to understand and to help make the healthcare system easier to navigate. 

Recently,  Ashok Roy, MD, MPH, MBA Chief Medical Officer, Value-based Care at Signify Health, released a comprehensive, four-part white paper that addresses the importance and relevance of health literacy and its correlation to improved healthcare. In ‘Addressing Health Literacy to Improve Patient Care Outcomes,’ Dr. Roy demonstrates the relationship between the social determinants of health and how these factors can result in health disparities. Dr. Roy also presents opportunities in value-based healthcare that employs population health methodologies that can help providers provide support for their patients. 

We recently talked with Dr. Roy to learn more about health literacy.