It would be difficult to find a preventive measure that brings as many benefits as possible to patients, clinical staff and a practice’s bottom line as a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). VHAN Member Murfreesboro Medical Clinic is achieving extraordinary success realizing those benefits. The clinic performs AWVs for roughly 82% of eligible Aetna Medicare Advantage patients, exceeding the network average by 26.9%. From medication reviews to mental health checks, these visits are invaluable in supporting patients.

The Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network (VHAN) looked back on its past and ahead to its future in a recent member webinar. “Transforming Health Care Together: VHAN’s 2024 Impact & Future Vision,” featured Cindy Powell, MD, VHAN Executive Director and Chief Medical Officer, along with other VHAN leadership.

A partnership between Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Tennessee State Department of Health has helped some VHAN practices improve antibiotic stewardship efforts.

As VHAN’s executive director and chief medical officer, I want to extend a sincere thank you for your unwavering dedication to ensure patients receive high-quality, personalized care. As I reflect on our most recent performance year’s successes, I am reminded that our network’s collective strength and commitment enables better health outcomes.

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 recently received Cigna CAC performance results for PY21, and we are happy to announce that the network performed remarkably well compared to market and national rates across key measures. According to representatives from Cigna CAC, VHAN’s efforts to identify and list actions for preventive care initiatives and improvements, along with quality measure reports, patient outreach and best practice-sharing contributed to the favorable results. Read the article for a full list of VHAN’s achievements.

To improve Erlanger Health System’s (EHS) AWV completion rate and deliver vital preventive care, the Erlanger Medical Group (EMG) quality team implemented an Annual Wellness Visit template and clinical education program in 2018. Since implementing the new process, Erlanger has experienced a year-over-year increase in total Medicare AWVs. Read the article to leverage best practices from the EMG quality team.

One in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s a sobering statistic, and it’s one that compels members of Vanderbilt Population Health’s Quality Impact Specialists (QIS) Team to motivate patients to get their annual breast cancer screenings. By pairing new technology strategies with more efficient communications, last year the team achieved dramatic results in the number of patients scheduled for these screenings. Read the full article to find best practices your staff can use to increase screening appointments and meet this important quality benchmark.

Coinciding with VHAN’s 10th anniversary, the third season of the miniVHAN podcast looks back at the unique vision for VHAN and how the network launched amidst a major transition in health care from fee-for-service to value-based care following the signing of the Affordable Care Act in 2010.