BACON from the MaineHealth ACO

MaineHealth introduces a new searchable database of local socio-economic assistance programs and a LincolnHealth pediatric practice quickly stands up a curbside vaccination program during the pandemic.

This episode features commentary from co-hosts Dr. Julie Grosvenor and Dr. Mike Clark on racial inequity, a look at positive utilization performance numbers from the ACO's annual report and an interview with MidCoast Hospital physicians who've been performing together in a rock band for 20 years.

CMS Administrator Seema Verma said recently that the "genie is out of the bottle" when it comes to telehealth. So, how will telehealth change the nature of medical practice? How should providers prepare? In this episode, co-host Mike Clark, MD poses those questions and more to telehealth expert Danielle Louder of the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center. 

Join us to explore how MaineHealth plans to resume in-person care for non-COVID patients with time-sensitive conditions, learn about a new resiliency-building Project ECHO session for providers and hear about new "coding cards" to help specialists increase the precision of their clinical documentation. Guests: Cheryl Liechty, MD; Steve DiGiovanni, MD; Stacey Ouellette; Joel Wirth, MD; Eiren Menhen...

Two primary care physicians share personal reflections on the pandemic in Maine so far – private practices overcoming financial uncertainty, gratitude for colleagues, the impostor syndrome, camaraderie and coming out the other side. With host Mike Clark, MD and guest Rob Chamberlin, MD.

Recently, the media picked up on a report issued by HealthGrades and MGMA that ranked Maine doctors last in a "patient sentiment" survey. Mike and Julie discuss this finding and other aspects of patient experience with Omar Hasan, MD , MaineHealth's chief quality and safety officer. Also, Heidi Wierman, MD , introduces the 2020 Skilled Nursing Facility Index, a tool from the ACO to help providers,...

In this special episode, Mike and Julie interview the incoming and outgoing presidents of the ACO. Plus, Kristen Silvia, MD, updates us on MaineHealth's integrated medication assisted treatment (iMAT) program for patients with opioid use disorder. We'd love your suggestions for news stories and provider profiles. Email us at bacon@mmc.org .

The MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization works with providers to improve the quality and lower the cost of care. So, what kind of success did providers and the ACO see in 2019? Julie and Mike discuss. Also, Amanda Powell, MD applies shared decision making to increasing colorectal cancer screening among diverse patients and Sarah Shepherd, MD compares her roles as ED clinician and improv actor...

Julie and Mike get back to basics and discuss why accountable care organizations exist. Also, Kathryn Galbraith, MD talks about making the most of payer incentives and Janet Fowle, MD, encourages providers to volunteer at one of Maine's most celebrated summer camps. Have a suggestion for a Meaty Topic? Know a provider who would be good to interview for our Sizzle or Chewing the Fat segments?  Emai...

Julie and Mike discuss new Medicare rules and procedure for ordering advanced imaging, Sanford primary care physician Shirley Frederick talks about her practice's pilot to increase screening for early signs of dementia and Franklin Health Pediatrics provider Nicole Donahue introduces her practice's efforts to directly address food insecurity among patients and families. Have a suggestion for BACON...

Learn why MaineHealth is getting into Medicare Advantage plans and what it means for providers, hear how an ancient Chinese movement practice is helping patients recover mobility, meet our new CMO. Have a suggestion for BACON? Email us at mailto:bacon@mmc.org .

Julie and Mike respond to provider questions about the ACO's quality measures, Elizabeth Eisenhardt discusses engaging residents in quality improvement and Doug Sawyer reflects on his role as volunteer cardiologist at the Greater Portland Health community center. Have a suggestion for BACON? Email us at mailto:bacon@mmc.org .

This month's topics range from the joys of telescribes to a brief history of the evolution of the ACO to running the Boston marathon at age 50.

Reducing ED utilization is the subject of two segments this month. In our Meaty Topic, Mike and Julie introduce the ACO's Where to Go for Care infographic designed to help patients decide when to go to the ED. In The Sizzle, Kate Herlihy reviews her successful initiative to reduce pediatric ED visits in western Maine. And, for a little variety, Julie takes us outside to visit Patty Cantlin's patie...

A girls' school in rural Pakistan, hypertension control at LincolnHealth and better clinical documentation: all in this episode.

Julie and Mike discuss the ACO's future with the Medicare Shared Savings Program and impact on providers. Dr. Rob Merrill reveals how he hit all the ACO quality targets in 2018 and Dr. Dave Johnson reports on his medical mission to rural India.