The Keys to Successful Care Coordination

Megan Pruce, vice president, business engagement strategies, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Marketing has played a key role in the growth and success of one of the nation’s largest regional networks focused on population health and value-based care.

Vanderbilt Health Affiliate Network (VHAN) is a physician-led clinically integrated network that coordinates care for 300,000 patients across the state of Tennessee and in several bordering states.

Launched in late 2012 by four founding hospitals led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center, VHAN has achieved impressive clinical and financial results. In 2018 and 2019, the network attained 100 percent of its quality goals, and earned more than $20 million in incentive payments that were shared among members.

“As marketing and communications professionals, we have actually helped improve the clinical and financial performance of a provider network,” says Megan Pruce, vice president, business engagement strategies at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “And we have the numbers to back that up.”

VHAN comprises more than 6,100 providers, 70 hospitals, 13 health systems, and 128 “Quick Care” clinics. VHAN is the high-performance provider network for leading commercial health plans as well as Medicare Advantage plans in the Southeast. It is also the care coordination backbone of three Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).

Care coordination has been an elusive concept in health care — and lack of coordination has led to poor outcomes and higher costs. The goal of provider networks such as VHAN is to work toward greater collaboration among network members, and standardization of best practices. When the network achieves positive results — improved outcomes and lower costs — members share in the financial rewards.

“Value-based care is a strategy for volume, and value can lead to volume,” says Pruce.

Read the full story now and learn some of VHAN’s secrets to success:

The Future of Health Care Is Happening Today in Tennessee

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Matt Humphrey
President