Virginia receives $2.6 million federal grant for new health-care models

Virginia has been awarded a $2.6 million federal grant to develop new health-care models.

The one-year grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will provide financial and technical support for the Virginia Health Innovation Plan.

The goal of the plan is to improve health outcomes for all of the commonwealth’s residents, regardless of whether or not they have health insurance.

The goals of the initiative include:

• Lowering rates of tobacco use and obesity
• Preventing and managing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and high-risk pregnancy
• Creating better care for certain mental-health and oral-health conditions through improved integration with primary care

The Richmond-based Virginia Center for Health Innovation (VCHI) will develop the innovation plan in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders. More than 800 individuals and 300 organizations already are involved in Virginia Health Innovation Network.

“Through this incredible collaboration, we expect to transform Virginia’s health care system using a Triple Aim Strategy,” Beth Bortz, the president and CEO, of VCHI, said in a statement. 

This strategy includes:

• Activating consumers and communities
• Developing person-centered, integrated, accountable delivery systems
• Aligning infrastructure, workforce and quality incentives

Seven regional accountable care communities will be created across the state, each with its own partners. Each group will work on the development of integrated delivery systems and the improvement health in its area.

In developing its health transformation plan, Virginia will seek a Delivery System Reform Incentive Program Medicaid Innovation Waiver. The waiver allow the state to provide Medicaid incentive payments that reward hospitals and health systems adopting  innovative delivery systems innovations and achieving significant quality improvements.