January 10, 2019

Harrington HealthCare System joins Boston Accountable Care Organization

SOUTHBRIDGE, MA; January 10, 2019 – Harrington HealthCare System is the latest organization to partner with Boston Medical Center (BMC) Health System and participate in the MassHealth Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program through the Boston Accountable Care Organization (BACO).

“This partnership is an important step forward in our commitment to the MassHealth patients in our community. We will place strong emphasis on gaining access to primary care and on making sure our patients have a seamless connection to a range of community-based support and wraparound resources,” said Ed Moore, Harrington HealthCare System President and CEO.

BMC Health System and its BMC HealthNet plan formed accountable care partnership plans with BACO and three other ACOs in other parts of the state in order to provide enhanced services to MassHealth members.

The ACO program supports MassHealth’s commitment to:

• Improve quality and member experience and integrate the full spectrum of care, including medical care, behavioral health and long-term services and supports;
• Provide clinical and community-based support for populations with behavioral health and long-term health care needs;
• Shift incentives to hold providers accountable for quality and total cost of care for a population of patients;
• Invest in primary care and community workforce development;
• Allow for innovative ways of addressing social determinants of health;
• Expand access to substance misuse disorder treatment, including treatment for co-occurring disorders.

BMC Health System President Kate Walsh said that the organization’s longstanding patient and community-centered approach, understanding of MassHealth cost drivers, and its commitment to innovative, new approaches to improve care put BMC Health System and BACO in a strong position for success. “We’re pleased to be a part of this important restructuring of the MassHealth program to improve care for MassHealth patients and reduce costs for the Commonwealth,” Walsh said.

The ACO program is a major component in the state’s five-year innovative “1115 MassHealth Demonstration¹,” bringing in $1.8 billion in new federal investments to restructure the current MassHealth system. The waiver – effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2022 – seeks to transform the delivery of care for most MassHealth members and to change how that care is paid for, with the goals of improving quality and establishing greater control over spending.

ACOs will receive more than $100 million in new investments to support the transition of health care providers providing value-based care.

Funds will be used to:

• Enhance care coordination and management efforts through formal partnerships with certified behavioral health and long-term services and supports community organizations;
• Improve electronic health records and ACO analytic capabilities;
• Reduce avoidable inpatient and emergency department utilization;
• Implement other key initiatives for ACOs to improve health outcomes and member experience under the new payment models.

Member enrollment in an ACO will be based upon an established relationship with his/her current primary care provider to ensure continuity of care. All ACO models support MassHealth’s commitment to invest in community-based organizations, referred to as certified community partners for behavioral health and long-term services and supports.

The Boston Accountable Care Organization is made up of 19 provider organizations. It includes Boston Medical Center and, in addition to Harrington HealthCare System, the following health care organizations: Boston University Affiliated Physicians, Inc.; Boston University Family Medicine, Inc.; The Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Inc.; Child Health Foundation of Boston, Inc.; Codman Square Health Center, Inc.; Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, Inc.; Evans Medical Foundation, Inc.; Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, Inc.; Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center; Health First Family Care Center, Inc.; Manet Community Health Center, Inc.; Mattapan Community Health Center, Inc.; South Boston Community Health Center, Inc., South End Community Health Center, Inc.; South Shore Physician Hospital Organization, Inc.; Stanley Street Treatment and Resources, Inc.; Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Inc.; and Valley Health Partners, Inc./Holyoke Medical Center.

¹ https://www.mass.gov/service-details/1115-masshealth-demonstration-waiver