Baylor Quality Alliance (BQA) is now in the physician recruitment phase of its development
Physicians are being asked to "thoughtfully consider" their participation in BQA, according to Dr. Carl Couch, President.
"We seek physicians who want to participate in transforming care delivery, improving quality, while identifying and implementing methods to eliminate waste and inefficiency through systematic clinical integration across the entire care continuum - thereby reducing costs and enhancing both quality and patient satisfaction."
It's expected that BQA will receive shared savings from those efforts, that will be distributed to member physicians in addition to their regular fee-for-service reimbursement.
BQA physicians will be committing to using an Electronic Health Record (EHR) to enhance care delivery as well as a Health information Exchange (HIE) that will coordinate medical information between providers of care. Those offices without an EHR may be eligible for a 50% subsidy from Baylor through December 2013. All BQA members will be connected to the Health Information Exchange; the initial programming cost, as well as ongoing connectivity expenses for those doing so through Baylor's HIE will be borne by BQA.
One of BQA's first clients will be Baylor Health Care System, whose 34,000+ employees and dependents will begin on January 1, 2013 to access BQA physicians and receive significantly higher benefits / lower co-pays when they stay in network.
As of this writing, 643 physicians from around the Metroplex have submitted Written Indications of Interest. BQA staff is now working with those offices to finalize their participation agreements. An estimated 1,013 additional physicians have given a verbal indication of interest during meeting with their group leaders.
If you'd like additional information about BQA, please contact Bruce Miller, Vice President of Network Development, at 214.265.3729 or MB.Miller@BaylorHealth.edu.
BQA Town Hall Meetings
We have recently concluded a series of 10 Town Hall Meetings at locations around the Metroplex.
At this time, we’re happy to meet with groups or individuals. Please contact Bruce Miller at 214.228.8537 or Bruce.Miller@baylorhealth.edu if you are interested in learning more about BQA.
About Baylor Quality Alliance
Baylor Quality Alliance (BQA) is developing a clinically integrated organization of employed physicians, independent physicians, hospitals and other providers of care whose mission is to improve quality and reduce the overall cost of care for the patients and communities served by the Baylor Health Care System.
The health care crisis facing the US is one of unsustainable cost increases and less than attainable quality. We try to serve patients in care settings which are often disconnected, with errors and waste commonly adding to high cost. True health care reform is needed, and clinically integrated organizations are forming in many communities with a willingness to be accountable for both quality and cost. The Board and physician leadership of BQA are committed to success in improving quality and reducing cost.
For general information about the BQA, you can view the BQA brochure.
BQA Application - Individual
BQA Application - Group