The new eBrightHealth is a partnership of Christiana Care Health System, Bayhealth Medical Center, Beebe Healthcare and Nanticoke Health Services
EBrightHealth dovetails with the health care reform the state is undertaking with the Delaware Center for Health Innovation, officials say. It also builds on the relationships the systems have established over the last year as they participate in the statewide Quality Partners Accountable Care Organization.
The ACO focuses on creating more comprehensive care and cost-savings for Medicare patients. As Nevin said, it’s designed to reward hospitals for disrupting their business model by encouraging them to find ways to keep people healthier so they don’t need emergency rooms or hospital admission.
Christiana Care’s Care Link program is an example of what has come out of the ACO. Carelink identifies complex patients who are high-risk, for example those who do not have access to primary care, and connects them to physicians who will reach out and find out what their needs are.
Social workers, pharmacists, behavioral health therapists and nurses are all involved.
EBrightHealth is modeled after initiatives such as AllSpire Health Partners, which is a consortium of seven New Jersey and Pennsylvania hospital systems. That organization is three years old.
HENRY KOTULA 