Message from the Medical Director

Paul Buehrens, MD,
EHP Medical Director

The word is out about EvergreenHealth Partners, the first Clinical Integration Network in Washington – and there's been a lot of interest in learning more about this groundbreaking clinical partnership for our area.  Since we went public with our announcement in May, the EHP story has been carried in the Puget Sound Business Journal and by several local news organizations, as well as being nationally featured on the Dorland Health website.  I've also been invited to present on EHP and the path to clinical integration at the Washington Medical Commission's conference in October.

Insurers around the region are also taking note. Contracts with First Choice and Cigna are already in place, and a contract with Regence is signed and awaiting approval by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Other contracts are being discussed. There is lots of talk about a High Value Network, and work going on to pull a larger network together.

Sure, there've been some bumps as we work to integrate the coding for the quality metrics into our daily routines ... but the future is incredibly bright for all of us involved.  We have over 500 participants, and growing.  As the tectonic plates of healthcare shift under our feet, we are nimble, innovative, and have the most flexible contracting strategy possible.  Care coordination staff are in place for our Cigna contract, and I'm very hopeful we will soon hire an RN for our First Choice contract with expansion to all contracts from there.  Value contracting is a strategic goal for HCA, and we are placed just right.

Thank you for your participation – and your continued support – of this groundbreaking clinical partnership aimed at providing the highest quality health care and service at the greatest value for our region.

Paul  Buehrens, MD
Medical Director