On a recent episode of the miniVHAN podcast, host Mallory Yoder discussed best practices in risk-adjustment coding with Victor Legner, MD, a geriatrician with expertise in clinical documentation and coding integrity. Dr. Legner outlined some of the most common and complicated health conditions that benefit from risk-adjustment coding. In the following Q&A, Dr. Legner offers further insights on coding for depression, diabetes, obesity, heart failure as well as guidelines for better patient communication.

Milan Medical Center (MMC) is a well-oiled machine when it comes to addressing quality measures for their patient population, thanks in large part to Care Coordinator Elizabeth Hutcherson. Read this practice spotlight to learn more about how Hutcherson plays a vital role at MMC and in the community at large.

VHAN’s Adult Behavioral Health Consult Line offers primary care providers a real-time phone consultation by a licensed clinical social worker to help manage patients’ mental health needs. Shannon Brown, LCSW, answers some FAQs. to help members better understand this service.

As young people graduate from high school and move into a new phase of early adulthood, it’s a good time to focus on moving these patients to adult care. Read the full article to get details on how VHAN’s Pediatric to Adult Transitions Quick Reference Guide can help your practice in this area.

Between the increase in mental health diagnoses and a shortage of mental health specialists nationwide, primary care providers have taken on increased involvement in treatment mental health concerns. To help our members and patients navigate these issues, VHAN offers helping tools and resources.

Last year, VHAN member Brownsville Medical Clinic (BMC) in West Tennessee lost its founder and main provider with the passing of Jerald White, MD. If not for the efforts from a group of hometown heroes, the Brownsville community would have lost even more than a universally loved physician; the entire practice could have crumbled in the aftermath. Instead, something inspirational happened. Read the full story to learn how BMC kept its doors open and even improved their quality performance in the process.

Over the past 11 years, VHAN has created $204 million in shared savings for VHAN health plans, resulting in $77 million in shared savings and quality bonuses delivered to members. This achievement is a direct result of our network members’ shared commitment to providing high-quality, low-cost patient care.

Through our collaborative partnership and focus on data-driven approaches to changing care delivery, we are realizing better outcomes and measurable health improvements across the state and region.

When a fragile relative returns home after a hospital stay, family members may be left to provide care they don’t have the experience to deliver, leading to physical and emotional distress. This was the case for a wife who didn’t understand how to manage her husband’s complex needs. VHAN RN Care Navigator Martha Merry stepped in with empathy and expertise. “She was in tears,” Merry says. “The first thing I told her was, ‘We’re going to help you. We are going to figure this out and I’m here for you.’” Read the full story to learn how the VHAN Care Navigation team assisted this family.

VHAN Clinical Pharmacist Lyndi Tarr knows how important it is to speak a patient’s language and relate to them as an individual. Recently, Tarr put this truth into practice when she veered off the usual path to help a patient who was struggling with medication adherence following a lengthy hospitalization.

Read the full story to learn how Lyndi tapped into a patient’s personal interests to help him understand his medications and improve his adherence.