December 3, 2024
Community Health Provider Alliance (CHPA) delivered exceptional results in 2023, improving care for 13,124 Medicare beneficiaries across Colorado and achieving $17,288,693 in Medicare savings. By meeting rigorous quality and cost benchmarks, CHPA continues to lead in value-based care innovation, as confirmed by recent data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that administers Medicare.
Medicare data shows CHPA’s network earned a quality score of 74.37% on performance measures ranging from preventive health checks to use of computerized health records to preventing avoidable hospitalizations. The $17,288,693 of gross savings to Medicare resulted in a shared savings payment of $8,471,459 to CHPA, which will directly and indirectly benefit participating Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), also known as Community Health Centers (CHCs). These funds will fuel CHPA initiatives designed to enhance value-based care, ensuring Colorado communities receive high-quality, coordinated healthcare.
In 2023, a record-breaking 480 Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) nationwide participated in the CMS Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), collectively generating over $5.2 billion in gross savings—the largest in program history. Among these, CHPA emerged as a leader, delivering results that reinforce its commitment to improving care quality and reducing costs.
CHPA joined MSSP in 2017, and shared savings were first earned in the third performance year of 2019. CHPA has continued achieving savings since then, providing $70 million in total savings for CMS over the last five years. CHPA drives innovation through programs that reduce costs and elevate care quality.
CHPA’s member CHCs who participated in the MSSP program prioritize increasing the number of Medicare beneficiaries who complete annual wellness visits, including recommended screenings and preventive care. They also focus on managing patients with chronic conditions and addressing complex social risk factors. To support these efforts, CHPA provides all member CHCs with detailed performance data on quality measures. Furthermore, clinicians and providers collaborate to share best practices, ensuring coordinated care across primary and specialty providers. This approach helps prevent health complications and reduces repeat hospitalizations, improving outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries.
The 18 participating members have independent electronic health records (EHRs) and in addition to achieving savings in the 2023 performance year, CHPA was one of approximately 72 ACOS—out of a total of 480 participating—able to report electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs).
CHPA member CHCs who participated in the MSSP program in 2023 include:
- Axis Health Systems
- Clinica Family Health & Wellness
- High Plains Community Health Center
- Inner City Health
- Marillac Health
- Mountain Family Health Centers
- Northwest Colorado Health
- Peak Vista Community Health Centers
- Pueblo Community Health Center
- River Valley Family Health Center
- Salud Family Health
- Sheridan Health Services
- STRIDE Community Health Center
- Summit Community Care Clinic
- Sunrise Community Health
- Tepeyac Community Health Center
- Uncompahgre Medical Center
- Valley-Wide Health Systems.
A market-based solution to address fragmented and costly care, CHPA empowers Colorado CHCs to work together and take responsibility for improving quality, enhancing patient experience, and keeping care affordable. MSSP creates incentives for ACOs like CHPA to invest in transforming care by allowing them to share in savings generated while meeting defined quality and cost goals.
“We are inspired by the success our members have achieved in this program over the past several years and the profound impact their efforts have on building healthier communities here in Colorado,” said Brandi Apodaca, Chief Operating Officer of CHPA. “By appropriately utilizing healthcare services, they are improving outcomes for patients while also reducing costs to the state.”
CHPA remains committed to driving forward value-based care initiatives, supporting its members, and ensuring healthier communities across Colorado. With a track record of success, CHPA is poised to continue delivering innovative, cost-effective care solutions that meet the needs of Medicare beneficiaries statewide.
Additional information about MSSP and 2023 results: Medicare Shared Savings Program Continues to Deliver Meaningful Savings and High-Quality Health Care |NAACOS Congratulates ACOs for Record-Breaking Savings and High-Quality Care | Performance Year Financial and Quality Results
Learn more about ACOs: What is an ACO?—and the ABCs of ACOs.
