The Medicare geriatric primary care network says it will have a footprint in Iowa, Arkansas, Kansas and Virginia by year's end.
CVS Health's newly acquired subsidiary Oak Street Health announced this week that it will open geriatric primary care clinics in four states, which will expand its presence into 25 states by year's end.
"One of the most critical ways we advance our mission to rebuild healthcare as it should be is by bringing our high-quality primary care and unmatched patient experience to more older adults across the country," Oak Street CEO Mike Pykosz says in a media release.
"We look forward to meeting and caring for new deserving patients… as well as the opportunity to create meaningful jobs for those passionate about improving health outcomes for patients and bridging health equity gaps in their communities," Pykosz says.
The expansions are planned for Little Rock, Arkansas; Des Moines and Davenport, Iowa; Kansas City, Kansas and Richmond, Virginia, beginning this summer. Chicago-based Oak Street says it will also continue to expand its existing presence in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania this year.
The expansion comes just one month after CVS Health completed its $10.6 billion acquisition of Oak Street and is part of CVS's larger ambition to expand into other profitably areas of care delivery. Woonsockett, RI-based CVS already owns Aetna, pharmacy benefits manager Caremark, and Minute Clinic urgent care centers.
Using a value-based, integrated care model that focuses on wellness and prevention for Medicare enrollees, Oak Street offers primary and behavioral health care through a mix of in-center, in-home and telehealth appointments, as well as a 24⁄7 patient support line.
The provider claims that its emphasis on value-based care has reduced patient hospital admissions by approximately 51% compared to Medicare benchmarks and driven a 42% reduction in 30-day readmission rates and a 51% reduction in emergency department visits.
“One of the most critical ways we advance our mission to rebuild healthcare as it should be is by bringing our high-quality primary care and unmatched patient experience to more older adults across the country.”
Mike Pykosz, CEO, Oak Street Health
John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The expansions are planned for Little Rock, Arkansas; Des Moines and Davenport, Iowa; Kansas City, Kansas and Richmond, Virginia, beginning this summer.
Oak Street says it will also expand its existing presence in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania this year.
The expansion comes one month after CVS Health completed its $10.6 billion acquisition of Oak Street.