Advocate Health Generates $135.7 Million in Savings Through Two Top Federal Programs

Advocate Health’s affiliated accountable care organizations (ACOs) generated $135.7 million in savings in 2023 by achieving strong quality results and lowering costs through two of the top federal value-based care programs. 

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Advocate Health’s affiliated ACOs generated $128.6 million in savings through the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) and $7.1 million through ACO REACH, a program focused on health equity. Advocate Health, based in North Carolina, is once again one of the top performing integrated health systems in the country, reaching nearly $898.1 million in savings since 2012 through various CMS programs. 

“Advocate Health will continue to build on these results to make our high-quality care more affordable and accessible for our patients, transforming the delivery of health care for the better,” Advocate Health Chief Physician Executive Dr. Scott Rissmiller said. “We are proud to continue leading the way forward in value-based care.” 

When an ACO — a group of doctors, hospitals and other providers that form networks to coordinate patient care — demonstrates that it has achieved certain quality and cost-reduction benchmarks, it is rewarded with a share in the savings generated for Medicare.

While each program is unique, some key tactics include: 

• Robust care management and clinical programs help support patients in managing their chronic conditions.
• Automated technology to engage our patients after a hospital stay to reduce readmissions and avoidable emergency department visits.
• Additional wrap-around and care transition services to ensure all patients have the best possible care and outcomes.

“Relentlessly closing care gaps and managing chronic conditions helped keep our patients out of the hospital, leading to both more healthy days with their families and overall cost savings,” Advocate Health Chief Population Health Officer Don Calcagno said. “Thank you to our physicians, advanced practice colleagues, nurses and teammates, whose expertise and commitment make a meaningful difference in our patients’ quality of life.” 

To make that difference, these care teams are supported by a top network of care managers, social workers, pharmacists and other health care professionals. They all work together to help patients manage their chronic conditions by staying in consistent touch with patients and their families. These experts help people overcome barriers that might prevent access to medications, specialty visits or other care that they need, and serve as a support network as patients take steps to make healthy lifestyle changes.