McLaren High Performance Network, our Accountable Care Organization (ACO)
At McLaren Physician Partners, we are dedicated to providing high-quality care to our patients. McLaren High Performance Network (MHPN) – our Accountable Care Organization (ACO) – partners with Medicare to make sure we are offering that care in a transparent, financially responsible way. This service is available for our traditional fee-for-service Medicare participants.
What is an Accountable Care Organization (ACO)?
An ACO is a group of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers who come together to work with Medicare to ensure you are supported when healthy and receive the care you need when you are sick. ACOs agree with Medicare to operate in a financially accountable way in terms of quality, cost of care and the experience you receive.
Does joining MHPN change my Medicare benefits?
Your Medicare benefits do not change if your doctor participates with MHPN. An ACO is not an HMO managed care or Medicare Advantage plan. You will still have original Medicare (Medicare fee-for-service), and your Medicare services, rights and protections will not change. ACOs cannot limit your Medicare benefits or tell you to use certain doctors, clinicians, or hospitals. You can choose which doctors or hospitals you visit, though your doctor may offer recommendations based on quality.
What kind of providers are part of the MHPN?
MHPN has a network of doctors, clinicians, hospitals, outpatient clinics, care management programs, and skilled nursing facility partners. Our network includes doctors employed by McLaren and private doctors who have a close relationship with our hospitals and outpatient services.
How does MHPN help me?
MHPN has care managers, nurses, and social workers to help you and your family with navigating and coordinating your health care needs.
- If eligible, we provide you and your family with individualized support for the transition home or to your next site of care through our Transitional Care Management Program.
- Upon discharge, you will be provided with a Transition Nurse Navigator and/or a series of follow-up phone calls to help you navigate your care after you leave the hospital. Both services are provided free of charge.
- You may be assigned a care manager to speak with you on the phone and coordinate care with your primary care physician.
- Assistance with concerns such as food, housing, transportation, and any other social or medical factors affecting your health are also provided.
The value of having a primary care doctor
A primary care doctor (PCP) can help ensure you receive the right care, at the right time and the right place. A PCP can help you and your family by acting like a quarterback of all health care services. Your PCP can best manage your health care by providing regular and preventative care and can help keep your health on track. Click here to find a PCP to best fit your needs.
Benefits of receiving care from MHPN
With MHPN, you are at the center of care, and your satisfaction is an important goal. Over time, you may notice:
- Less paperwork: You may not have to fill out as many medical forms that ask for the same information.
- Enhanced communication: Everyone on your care team knows what is going on with your health because they communicate with each other.
- Fewer tests: You do not need to repeat medical tests because your results are shared among your health care team.
- More choice: You are free to choose your own doctor, but staying within the McLaren network can help us provide you with coordinated, high-quality care at a lower cost to you.
At MHPN, how will my health care records be used?
A valuable part of MHPN is that Medicare shares important health information with participating doctors and clinicians, including dates and times you visited a doctor or clinician, your medical conditions, and a list of past and current prescriptions. This information helps your care team to understand what services you have received and allows for smooth transitions between doctors in and out of the hospital. This is one of the most important benefits of being a part of MHPN.
What if I don’t want to share my health information?
The privacy and security of your medical information is protected by federal law. You'll continue to get the same rights enjoyed by all people with Medicare. However, if you don’t want Medicare to share your health care information, call 800-MEDICARE ( 800-633-4227). Tell the representative your doctor is part of an ACO, and you do not want Medicare to share your health care information. TTY users should call 877-486-2048.
Even if you decline sharing specific health care information, Medicare still uses your information for purposes such as assessing the performance of the doctors and clinicians participating in our ACO.