The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services aims to improve both patient care and patients’ health with the initiative ACO REACH, which stands for Accountable Care Organizations Realizing Equity, Access and Community Health.
Through ACO REACH, Medicare brings together providers in Accountable Care Organizations to offer eligible patients additional coordinated care and services to help them stay as healthy as possible.
Select Samaritan clinics are taking part in this new initiative with Belong Health ACO. This will help us provide better quality care for our patients who are covered by Original Medicare.
Samaritan Internal Medicine – CorvallisSamaritan Medical Group Family Medicine – Ninth St.Samaritan Family Medicine Resident ClinicSamaritan Family Medicine – Geary StreetSamaritan Medical Clinics – North AlbanySamaritan Family Medicine – SouthwestSamaritan Medical Group Family Medicine – Circle Blvd.Samaritan Medical Group Family Medicine – 26th Street
Q: What are Accountable Care Organizations?
A: Accountable Care Organizations, or ACOs, are groups of doctors, hospitals and other health care professionals that work together to give patients high-quality, coordinated service and health care, improve health outcomes and manage costs. In ACOs, Medicare adjusts the way care is paid for to incentivize health care providers to do what they can to help keep patients as healthy as possible, rather than simply paying for visits and procedures when patients are sick or injured. With this initiative, the Samaritan clinics listed above are participating with the Belong Health ACO.
Q. Where can I learn more about ACOs?
A: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid share a wealth of information about ACOs.
Q. How do I know if I qualify for Belong Health ACO?
A: Medicare patients who qualify should receive materials in the mail. Depending on how recently you’ve been seen at the clinic, you may receive a form to confirm who is your main doctor or other health care professional or the main place you go for routine care, to help determine if Belong Health ACO should help coordinate your care. If you believe you qualify and have not received the materials, please reach out to Belong Health ACO at 800-862-0608, or call Medicare at 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). TTY users should call 877-486-2048.
Q: What are the benefits of joining Belong Health ACO?
This program will help you get the right care at the right time. Health care can be confusing. In collaboration, Belong Health and your Samaritan care team will work with you on your care. The care team may:
Other benefits may include home health care – even if you are not housebound, home visits following hospital discharge and increased access to skilled nursing facility care, should you need it.
Q: What changes to my health care should I expect to see as a member of Belong Health ACO?
A: In addition to your regular health care providers, your care team will include a nurse care manager and customer service team. Your nurse care manager will help you manage your health conditions and get the services you need. A customer service member will connect you with health care appointments and local resources. They can also help you understand and use your benefits.
Q: If I join Belong Health ACO, will I still be able to choose my health care providers, including specialists?
A: Yes. You will still be able to see your primary care provider and other providers of your choice, including specialists. Joining Belong Health ACO will not restrict your physician network.
Q: Will joining Belong Health ACO cost me anything?
A: There is no cost to you, your Medicare benefits will not change and you can visit any health care provider or hospital that accepts Medicare.
Q: Do I have to fill out the form? Do I have to join Belong Health ACO?
A: Completing and returning the form or filling out the form on Medicare.gov is voluntary and optional. Whether or not you complete the form or select a doctor or other health care professional through Medicare.gov, you remain eligible to receive the same Medicare benefits and you still have the right to use any health care provider or hospital that accepts Medicare.
Q. Will I be automatically added to Belong Health ACO? If so, do I have to stay in the ACO?
Eligible patients will receive member benefit materials from Medicare. If you have been added by Medicare to the Belong Health ACO, but do not want to take part in this program, reach out to Belong Health ACO at 800-862-0608, or call Medicare at 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). TTY users should call 877-486-2048.
Q: If I do not join Belong Health ACO, will I still be able to see my Samaritan primary care provider?
A: Yes. You will still be able to see your primary care provider, whether or not you join Belong Health ACO.
Q: What if I join Belong Health ACO and decide later that I do not want to participate in the ACO anymore?
A: If you join and decide later that you want to opt out, contact Belong Health ACO at 800-862-0608, or call Medicare at 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). TTY users should call 877-486-2048.
Q: How does Samaritan benefit from this initiative?
The main benefit is support from Medicare and Belong Health to proactively keep patients as healthy as possible and reduce illness and injury, including costly hospital admissions and readmissions. Samaritan will also receive additional funds from Medicare to further invest in patient care.
Q: Who is Belong Health?
Belong Health partners with health systems, clinics and providers to provide wholistic care management and health care navigation assistance for Medicare patients. Belong Health is one of 132 ACOs across the country taking part in Medicare’s innovative ACO REACH program. The goal of ACO REACH is to help Medicare and health care providers move towards a value-based care model aimed at keeping patients as healthy as possible.
Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Feel free to ask your health care provider or their office, call Belong Health ACO at 800-862-0608, or call Medicare at 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). TTY users should call 877-486-2048.
