UPSA ACO Reaches ACO Pact With TMA PracticeEdge, BCBSTX

Agreement to Serve Thousands of South Texas Patients

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TMA PracticeEdge today announces the signing of an agreement to provide ACO Services to UPSA ACO, LLC (UPSA), a group of San Antonio physicians, in conjunction with a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) value-based agreement beginning Jan. 1, 2016.

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The two agreements will provide UPSA with shared savings opportunities while managing the population health of 5,400 BCBSTX members. The deal includes the TMA PracticeEdge turnkey solution for ACO Services, such as population health management tools, local care coordination resources, and a state-of-the-art IT solution.

"The independent physicians who compose the UPSA organization have been serving the health care needs of their community for decades," said Lou Goodman, CEO of TMA PracticeEdge. "By transitioning to a value-based care model, UPSA will be positioned to remain a health care leader in San Antonio for years to come."

Created by the Texas Medical Association (TMA), TMA PracticeEdge is a physician services organization providing solutions to strengthen the independent private practice of medicine in Texas. Its programs bring physicians the technology, expertise, and resources needed to take advantage of newly emerging health care payment models.

"High-quality patient care and population health management, delivered by independent primary care physicians, is the future of health care in this country," said Lloyd Van Winkle, MD, president of UPSA. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with BCBSTX in a value-based care model and have the specialized services of TMA PracticeEdge in support of our value-based care initiatives," added Dr. Van Winkle, who also serves on the board of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

"At BCBSTX, we are extremely pleased to work with UPSA in a value-care based model," said Bert Marshall, president of BCBSTX. "We are committed to supporting independent physicians in providing high-quality care to patients and look forward to sharing savings with physicians working to manage population health, improve quality, and lower health care costs."

UPSA has 48 physicians from 32 different independent primary care practices working together to manage the care for more than 5,400 patients. "UPSA is always very interested in adding new physicians committed to delivering high-quality patient care and from independent practices in value-based models," said Dr. Van Winkle.

About UPSA ACO, LLC

UPSA is a physician-led accountable care organization comprising primary care physicians in San Antonio and surrounding areas including New Braunfels and Castroville. Physicians interested in participation should contact Kim Harmon at (866) 740-1260 or [email protected].

About TMA PracticeEdge, LLC

TMA PracticeEdge helps physicians lead health care innovation in today's evolving marketplace. The company, launched by the Texas Medical Association and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, offers participating physicians several services, including:

• Accountable care services: TMA PracticeEdge offers the technology platforms, care coordination teams, physician-led network development and management, and contracting expertise necessary to participate in accountable care activities, and to meet market demands to document quality, cost-effective health care.
• Practice transformation services: Physicians can optimize their practices operationally and financially by using TMA PracticeEdge services, including education and consulting from certified professional coders, medical auditors, and compliance officers.

Physicians and office managers who are interested in learning more about TMA PracticeEdge should visit www.TMAPracticeEdge.com, email [email protected], or call (888) 900-0334.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) — the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas — is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and health practitioners and 500 hospitals to serve more than 5 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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TMA PracticeEdge (and on behalf of UPSA)

Kimberly K. Harmon, 512-370-1650

Cell: 512-378-0051

[email protected]

or

TMA Media

Brent Annear, 512-370-1381

Cell: 512-656-7320

[email protected]

or

Marcus Cooper, 512-370-1382

Cell: 512-565-6807

[email protected]

or

Steve Levine, 512-370-1380

Cell: 512-750-0971

[email protected]

or

BCBSTX Media

Edna Pérez-Vega, 210-558-5162

Cell: 210-326-2801

[email protected]

Source: TMA PracticeEdge, LLC