Mercy Medical Group and Woodland Clinic Medical Group were awarded Elite Status from America’s Physician Groups (APG) for excellence in patient experience, population health management, and overall affordability.
Both medical groups are two of just 81 organizations nationally to achieve Elite Status (the highest recognition) in 2019. Elite Status is earned through participation in APG’s Standards of Excellence Survey, which analyzes physician groups’ performances.
“We are invested in supporting our care teams and removing barriers so that they can deliver high quality, coordinated care and exceptional experiences for our patients,” said Mark Behl, MHA, MBA, CEO of Dignity Health Medical Foundation. “I am proud of the teams dedicated to this effort and the work underway. Receiving this recognition validates that we are doing the right things in the communities we serve.”
APG represents physician organizations that practice capitated, coordinated care. This year, 122 medical groups, health systems, and independent practice associations (IPAs) participated in the voluntary survey, covering 15.3 million commercial lives, 3.2 million lives in Medicare Advantage, and 3.8 million lives in Medicaid.
“We know that delivering exceptional care and improving the health of the communities we serve takes a team effort,” said Alan J. Shatzel, DO, MBA, CEO of Mercy Medical Group, Inc. “We are honored to be recognized by APG because it truly reflects our collective work and commitment to put the patients at the center of everything we do.”
This is the seventh year in a row that both medical groups received APG recognition. Mercy Medical Group previously received Excellent Status in 2013 and has received Elite Status every year since 2014. Woodland Clinic Medical Group has received Elite Status every year since 2013. This year, the APG Clinical Quality Leadership Committee increased achievement thresholds. The 2019 Standards of Excellence Survey included questions to highlight important topics like social determinants of health, value-based incentives, financial standards, and post-hospital discharge follow-up.
“We are honored to earn top marks from APG and to be recognized for the work we’ve done to manage costs and deliver high quality care in our communities,” said Karen Hopp, MD, President of Woodland Clinic Medical Group. “By taking a team-based approach we’re able to drive affordable, coordinated care and better outcomes for our patients. This award proves that we continue to be on the right path.”
