Aetna partnered with Virtua Health in South Jersey on a new accountable care organization.
Here are five key notes:
1. The two organizations plan to introduce the Aetna Whole Health-Virtua plan later this year. The plan will use Virtua's community-based health system of hospitals, outpatient facilities, urgent care centers and health and wellness centers.
2. The Virtua Physician Partners network of community physicians will be included in the ACO. The affiliation is designed to drive efficiency, coordinate care and improve communication between patients and providers.
3. The ACO plans to develop co-branded commercial healthcare plans for businesses and consumers. The plan is designed as a competitive and affordable plan to save consumers money.
4. Aetna's goal is to produce "more healthy days for its members," according to Executive Director for Aetna's New Jersey Market Michael Costa.
5. Aetna currently serves around 46.5 million people. Virtua is one of New Jersey's largest healthcare systems with three health and wellness centers, two ambulatory care centers, three acute care hospitals, 11 ASCs, 287 primary and specialty physicians and urgent care centers.