CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cigna (NYSE: CI) and Illinois Bone & Joint Institute (IBJI) are working together to improve quality and cost of care for people undergoing knee or hip replacements or revisions.
The program is part of Cigna Collaborative Care, a value-based model that uses incentives to engage health care professionals and helps drive improved health, affordability and customer experience. Cigna Collaborative Care initially focused on large primary care physician groups and has expanded to include hospitals, small primary care practices and specialists, including orthopedists.
Under the program, IBJI physicians will look at a person’s health holistically across an entire episode of care. This includes the care the individual receives 45 days before a knee or hip procedure, the procedure itself, recovery and any follow-up care up to 90 days after the surgery. This approach reduces the likelihood that an individual will have complications after surgery or will need to be readmitted to the hospital – both of which are key targets for measuring quality.
IBJI will continue to be paid for the medical services it provides to Cigna customers and will also be eligible to earn a “pay for value” incentive if it meets certain quality and cost targets.
“We’ve seen great results from our Cigna Collaborative Care arrangements with primary care physician groups and we’re applying those strategies to specialty care, such as orthopedic surgery,” said Peter W. McCauley Sr., M.D., Cigna's regional medical executive for the Northeast, which includes Illinois and the Midwest. “By working with Illinois Bone & Joint Institute to focus on the value of care, our customers will experience better health, better affordability of care and, ultimately, a better experience.”
“This program with Cigna is another critical step towards improving the quality of care while lowering costs,” said William Robb, M.D., orthopedic director of Illinois Bone & Joint Institute’s OrthoSync program. “IBJI’s OrthoSync program helps improve the management of care by coordinating the patient’s clinical and rehabilitation services and providing access to information and expectations specific to their care. At IBJI we focus more on the value of care rather than volume and look forward to working with Cigna on this initiative.”
Cigna has episodes-of-care arrangements for other medical specialties, including gastroenterology and obstetrics/gynecology, and plans to introduce this type of arrangement for cardiology. There are also Cigna Collaborative Care arrangements for oncology.
About Illinois Bone & Joint Institute (IBJI)
Illinois Bone & Joint Institute is one of the largest independent physician-owned orthopedic practices in Illinois. IBJI was founded in 1991 by Wayne Goldstein, M.D. and has grown to now more than 90 board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians and surgeons treating children and adults, with expertise in every orthopedic specialty. IBJI offers patients collaborative, integrated care including advanced MRI and bone density diagnostics, sports training and medicine, rheumatology, podiatry, pain management, wellness, rehabilitation, surgical and non-surgical treatments and therapies. IBJI has more than 22 clinic locations throughout Chicago and the north suburbs. IBJI’s OrthoAccess walk-in clinics offer same day immediate orthopaedic care. IBJI now incorporates decades of experience from highly-skilled and respected provider teams. For more information, please visit www.IBJI.com.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 88 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
