During their meeting on June 7, the UW Board of Regents approved UW Medicine’s proposal to create a clinically integrated network (CIN) with MultiCare Health System and other regional healthcare providers. The CIN is the first major endeavor between UW Medicine and MultiCare following announcement of their strategic alliance last summer.
Much like an accountable care network, a CIN is a network of healthcare providers committed to working together, using evidence-based protocols and measures, to improve patient care and reduce costs. The new CIN is an evolution of the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network, sharing the same goals but built on a more sustainable platform with shared ownership and the level of clinical and financial integration necessary to succeed in the value-based environment. The transition from the UW Medicine ACN to the CIN is expected to be a multi-year process.
The CIN aims to be a unique option in the market for patients and healthcare purchasers. It will offer the full continuum of high-quality care in a single integrated network while capitalizing on research developments and innovative strategies coming out of UW Medicine, MultiCare and other partners.
With the Board of Regents’ approval, UW Medicine and MultiCare will move forward to form the CIN legal entity, secure commitments from partner organizations to participate in the CIN as owners or contracted participants, establish a governing body for the CIN and begin to hire key management positions within the CIN legal entity.
“This is an important milestone in our efforts to form the CIN,” said Dr. Paul Ramsey, UW Medicine CEO. “We look forward to realizing the great potential of this new integrated network and to working with other outstanding healthcare organizations to bring cost-effective comprehensive care to employers and their employees.”
“We are excited to be on this journey to improve healthcare with our partner in UW Medicine and are pleased that our work together continues to move forward,” said Bill Robertson, President and CEO of MultiCare. “Together, we are committed to bringing new ways to take care of patients as we pursue better outcomes at a lower cost for employers and employees.”