Infirmary Health partners with Ochsner Accountable Care Network to improve health outcomes for seniors across the Gulf Coast

Infirmary Health, Alabama's largest private non-profit healthcare provider, and Ochsner Health, the leading healthcare system in the Gulf South, are proud to announce a landmark partnership with Ochsner Accountable Care Network, a top-performing accountable care organization (ACO) in both clinical performance and healthcare savings for the Medicare population. The partnership aims to improve health outcomes for seniors across the Gulf Coast region.

Infirmary Health's hospitals and acute care facilities are recognized as national leaders in innovative and compassionate care for patients. Infirmary Health physicians will join more than 2,250 physicians already participating in the Ochsner Accountable Care Network (OACN) to provide coordinated quality care to Medicare patients. The collaboration will focus on sharing clinical best practices, improving patient experiences, coordinating comprehensive care services, leveraging advanced data analytics, and providing much-needed population health support programs for seniors.

“Infirmary Health’s commitment to providing the highest quality healthcare in the safest environment has remained the cornerstone of this organization throughout its 113-year history,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Stough. "This partnership with Ochsner allows us to combine our strengths with like-minded physician groups across the Gulf South and deliver on our commitment to seniors in our respective communities."

ACOs are groups of physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers who come together voluntarily to provide coordinated quality care to Medicare patients. The goal of an ACO is to improve efficiency and coordination of care, resulting in improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs to both the patient and organization. In addition to better control rates for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, patients see the benefit of an ACO through improved communication with their healthcare teams and reduced duplication in paperwork and medical tests.

OACN, headquartered in New Orleans, La., recently achieved its seventh consecutive year of top-ranking results in both clinical performance and healthcare savings for the Medicare population in its care, as reported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In 2022, OACN's participating clinicians reduced the expected cost of care by over $27 million for more than 52,000 Medicare beneficiaries. Over the last seven years, OACN has boosted health outcomes and reduced healthcare spending by more than $127 million.

“We’re excited for Infirmary Health to join Ochsner Accountable Care Network,” said Beau Raymond, MD, medical director and executive director for OACN. “Infirmary Health has a reputation for high quality, compassionate care that aligns with OACN values. By working together, we can better coordinate and ensure preventative care and management of chronic conditions for the people of the Gulf South.”

A priority of the collaboration is to provide comprehensive and well-coordinated services tailored for seniors across the continuum of care. This includes support services, social workers and nurse care managers to address the unique needs of patients outside of the hospital or clinic – particularly those with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

“Our ultimate goal is to improve the affordability of healthcare while continually improving the quality of care for our patients,” said Raymond.