Farmers Branch, Texas – Southwestern Health Resources (SWHR), the clinically integrated network formed between UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) and Texas Health Resources, has achieved outstanding results in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Global and Professional Direct Contracting (GPDC) Model for 2022. The name of this model changed to the Accountable Care Organization Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (ACO REACH) Model on January 1, 2023. SWHR realized just over $55.2M in gross savings to the Medicare Trust Fund, the largest total savings among the 99 participating ACOs in the GPDC Model. This achievement represents SWHR’s commitment to improving the quality of care for North Texans, resulting in improved outcomes and reduced costs.
CMS’ GPDC Model was a voluntary ACO designed to put patients at the center of their care by providing greater individualized attention to a patient’s specific health care needs. In 2022, SWHR’s focus on value-based care earned the organization a perfect quality score in addition to savings.
“This accomplishment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality value-based solutions to people with complex health conditions,” said William Daniel, MD, chair of the Network Quality and Performance (NPQ) Committee at SWHR and vice president and chief quality officer at UTSW. “We are proud of our teams and the dedicated providers delivering compassionate care in our communities.”
By meeting the criteria set up by CMS for senior patients, SWHR and its providers were able to focus on helping patients manage their care and keeping them well, leading to an overall greater quality of life.
“SWHR’s performance in this ACO reinforces the effectiveness of our clinically integrated network in value-based care,” said Laura Irvine, senior executive vice president and chief experience officer for Texas Health and senior executive officer of SWHR. “One goal with the recent restructuring of the organization is to lean into this aspect of the business to make a real impact for the communities we serve.”
Accountable Care Organizations, like SWHR, were established to oversee the healthcare of Medicare patients, reduce overall healthcare costs, and reward efficient organizations for their ability to keep patients in good health.
Since 2017, SWHR has generated more than $223 million in Medicare savings, making it a leading organization in total savings, according to performance data made public by CMS.
About SWHR:
Southwestern Health Resources (SWHR) is a patient-centered, clinically integrated network of more than 7,000 physicians and clinicians caring for over 790,000 patients across 16 counties in North Texas. Our 550 primary care physicians and 1,400 specialists are joined by the preeminent medical leaders of Texas Health Resources and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, giving SWHR an unmatched ability to connect individuals with 360 degrees of clinical care from one, holistic network. In addition, SWHR is the parent of Care N’ Care Insurance Co., a leading regional Medicare Advantage health plan that serves North Texas seniors.
At SWHR, we believe healthcare can be more integrated, accessible and affordable for all. Our purpose: to build a better way to care, together. Our promise: to simplify and empower care, for good.
Media Contact: Kimberly Walton; Phone: 972-989-4559; Email: KimberlyWalton@TexasHealth.org
The statements contained in this document are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CMS. The authors assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this document.
