SWHR has saved almost $120 million since joining the Next Generation program in 2017.
The Southwestern Health Resources (SWHR) Accountable Care Network saved $52 million in 2019, according to ACO results released Wednesday morning.
SWHR, which was formed by UT Southwestern and Texas Health Resources, has saved almost $120 million since joining the Next Generation ACO Model in 2017.
According to the organization, SWHR's results accounted for more than 20% of the Next Generation program's total savings, which includes 40 other ACOs. SWHR noted that the organization also saved more than 550 regular Medicare ACOs.
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SWHR is based in Dallas and services 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries in North Texas.
"These successful results reaffirm the effectiveness of our clinically integrated network of academic and community doctors and hospitals," Andrew Ziskind, MD, senior executive officer of SWHR, said in a statement. "Being ranked No. 1 in the nation for the third year in a row further demonstrates the success of the physician-driven strategies SWHR has designed to build a stronger system of care. While we’ve achieved significant savings, we also have significantly improved the quality of care delivered to patients."
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SWHR's savings are the latest example of how effective ACOs can be at facilitating a more efficient healthcare system centered on value-based care.
In September, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released data that indicated the Shared Savings Program generated $2.6 billion in savings in 2019.
This marked a $940 million year-over-year increase in savings.
Jack O'Brien is the Content Team Lead and Finance Editor at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.