Washington Healthcare Authority selects UW Medicine ACN as new healthcare option for employees

The UW Medicine Accountable Care Network (ACN) today announced that the Washington Healthcare Authority (HCA) has chosen the UW Medicine ACN as a new healthcare option for those enrolled in the Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB) program. The new option will be available to these employees during the 2015 open enrollment period in November, with coverage beginning January 1, 2016.

The UW Medicine Accountable Care network offers the most comprehensive range of healthcare services in the region, from preventive and primary care to the most advanced and highly specialized tertiary and quaternary care. The UW Medicine ACN's patient- and family-centered approach to healthcare prioritizes the patient experience above all else. Patients can choose to receive care from thousands of expert primary and specialty care providers in hundreds of locations throughout the Puget Sound area.

The HCA initially will offer the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network option in five counties, including Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Pierce and Thurston Counties, with plans for statewide expansion in 2017. UW Medicine Accountable Care Network organizations offering services in these counties include UW Medicine, Capital Medical Center, Cascade Valley Hospitals and Clinics, Children's University Medical Group, MultiCare Connected Care, Overlake Hospital Medical Center, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle Children's Hospital and Skagit Regional Health.

The UW Medicine ACN will be part of the HCA's efforts to help meet the goals of the state's Healthier Washington initiative, which is designed to achieve the "Triple Aim" of better health, better care and lower costs for Washington residents. The HCA chose UW Medicine ACN to:

• Provide "best in class" patient service and experience – access to high-quality and timely service at lower costs to enrolled PEBB members.
• Deliver integrated physical, mental health and substance abuse services.
• Assume financial and clinical accountability for a defined population of PEBB members.

"UW Medicine worked effectively to meet the rigorous criteria we set out for Accountable Care Programs," Health Care Authority Director Dorothy Teeter said. "By offering this new product, they are demonstrating their understanding of and commitment to the importance of providing health care that focuses on quality first. We are excited to partner with them on this innovative approach to health care service delivery."

"We are excited to be partnering with the Healthcare Authority to deliver this new healthcare option to public employees," said Dr. Paul Ramsey, CEO of UW Medicine. "The UW Medicine ACN was founded on the very same goals that the HCA is trying to achieve, which gives us a common vision and a common commitment to delivering excellent and affordable healthcare. We believe this will be a very attractive choice for those in the PEBB program, including many who work in our own organization."