The Colorado Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) program is committed to ensuring accountability and transparency in healthcare. A key focus of this initiative is to improve the quality of care for Health First Colorado members through data-driven insights and performance monitoring. This includes a strong emphasis on maternal health, specifically postpartum care, as a critical component of overall population health improvement.
Performance Measurement and Quality Improvement in the ACC Program
The Department actively monitors the performance of Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) within the ACC program. This monitoring is achieved through the use of incentive payments that encourage RAEs to excel in key areas, ultimately leading to better population health outcomes and enhanced access to care. These performance metrics are designed to foster a coordinated, community-based healthcare approach while also aiming to reduce healthcare costs.
One of the key tools used to track progress is a comprehensive set of performance measures, detailed specifications of which are readily available for providers and stakeholders. These measures fall into several categories, each targeting different aspects of healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Key Performance Indicators: A Focus on Postpartum Care
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are vital for assessing the overall effectiveness of the ACC program. They serve to reward RAEs for making tangible improvements to the regional healthcare delivery system and for positively impacting key areas of population health.
For the State Fiscal Year 2023-24, the KPIs include a specific and crucial measure: Postpartum Care. This inclusion highlights the program’s dedication to improving maternal health outcomes. Alongside postpartum care, other KPIs for SFY23-24 encompass a broad range of health aspects, such as:
- Emergency Department Visits PKPY (Risk Adjusted)
- Depression Screening and Follow Up
- Oral Evaluations
- Timeliness of Prenatal Care
- Child and Adolescent Well Visits
- Well Child Visits 0-15 Months
- Well Child Visits 15-30 Months
- Risk Adjusted PMPM
These KPIs demonstrate a holistic approach to healthcare, but the explicit inclusion of “Postpartum Care” underscores its importance within the ACC’s performance framework. Detailed specifications for all KPIs are accessible through the provided resources, ensuring full transparency and understanding of the program’s metrics.
Performance Pool and Behavioral Health Incentives
Funds not earned through KPIs are channeled into a Performance Pool, creating a secondary incentive for RAEs to further improve population health and system coordination. While specific measures for SFY 22-23 in the Performance Pool are listed – such as Premature Birth Rate and Contraceptive Care for Postpartum Women – the KPIs already directly address postpartum care, emphasizing its priority.
Similarly, the Behavioral Health Incentive Program focuses on incentivizing RAEs to effectively manage behavioral health, particularly concerning access to mental health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services. While this program doesn’t directly list “postpartum care”, the overall improvement in behavioral health services can indirectly benefit postpartum women, especially considering the prevalence of postpartum depression and anxiety.
Operational Data and Further Transparency
Beyond performance measures, the Department also monitors operational data, such as monthly enrollment changes, broken down by RAE and county. This data provides another layer of transparency and allows stakeholders to understand the program’s reach and impact.
Furthermore, the ACC program tracks COVID-19 vaccination rates among Health First Colorado members, including disparities across racial and ethnic groups. This demonstrates a commitment to addressing health equity alongside overall healthcare improvement. The Department also intends to publish further performance results related to public health, health equity, and finances, reinforcing its dedication to open communication and accountability.
Conclusion: A Continuous Drive for Better Healthcare
The Colorado Accountable Care Collaborative program is actively working to enhance healthcare for its members through a robust system of performance measurement and transparent data sharing. The explicit inclusion of “Postpartum Care” as a Key Performance Indicator demonstrates a clear commitment to improving maternal health outcomes within the state. By focusing on key areas and providing incentives for quality improvement, the ACC program strives to create a more accountable, effective, and patient-centered healthcare system for Colorado.
For further inquiries or more detailed information, stakeholders are encouraged to contact the Quality Performance Manager, Nicole Nyberg, demonstrating the program’s open communication policy.
