CHA is supporting health in a new way.
Instead of just treating illness, we are helping entire populations be as healthy as possible.
To do this, we have built a system to 1) identify medical needs, 2) provide proactive care and 3) address hidden factors that affect health. For example: Do people have a safe place to live? Food to eat? Can they get to the doctor? Do they have insurance?
People who need more support get a high-touch approach - coordinated care, appropriate education and links to local community programs. Our goal is to give every patient the right care at the right time. This lets CHA manage health care costs while helping people live their healthiest lives.
What is an Accountable Care Organization (ACO)?
An ACO is a partnership of primary care providers, specialists, hospitals and a health plan to give patients all the services they need. Together, these groups strive to meet certain goals:
- Improve patient experience (satisfaction, access to health services)
- Improve outcomes for all patients
- Reduce healthcare costs
CHA is part of several ACOs. This means we work with doctors and hospitals in our network. Your CHA provider may recommend a particular doctor or service based on your health needs. By seeing them, we can help you get coordinated and high quality care. It is always your choice about what doctors you see or hospitals you visit.
CHA as a MassHealth ACO
CHA was first certified as an ACO by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission in 2017 and was re-certified in 2019. The certification process was a significant milestone, making Massachusetts the first state to implement state-wide, all-payer standards for care delivery.
About Tufts Health Together with CHA
Tufts Health Plan and CHA joined together to create Tufts Health Together with CHA, a new MassHealth plan. Learn more about this plan.
Medicare ACOs
CHA participates in the Medicare Shared Savings Plan (MSSP) as part of the Beth Israel Deaconess Care Organization (BIDCO). This ACO model serves Medicare beneficiaries with the goal to achieve better health outcomes while lowering growth in health care expenses.
This FAQ explains Accountable Care Organizations and how they affect Medicare beneficiaries.
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To learn more about Medicare ACOs, please visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-422 or TTY at 1-877-486-2048).
CHA Population Health Contacts
Name and Location:
Cambridge Public Health Commission D/B/A Cambridge Health Alliance
1493 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Primary Contact
David Elvin, MD
Medical Director of ACO
Email: delvin@challiance.org
Phone: 617-665-6505
Composition of ACO
Cambridge Public Health Commission D/B/A Cambridge Health Alliance is the sole participant in the Cambridge Health Alliance Accountable Care Organization.
ACO Participants
CHA includes CHA Cambridge Hospital and CHA Everett Hospital, the Cambridge Health Alliance Physicians Organization and associated care centers.