Florida Blue and Sanitas join forces to revolutionize healthcare delivery in Jacksonville, emphasizing value-based primary care. This collaboration reflects a shift towards patient-centered models, offering comprehensive services tailored to individual needs. By integrating mental health support and promoting community engagement, the partnership addresses systemic healthcare challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, they strive to improve patient outcomes and enhance the well-being of the Jacksonville community.
Florida Blue’s collaboration with Sanitas Medical Center in Jacksonville marks a significant shift towards value-based primary care, reflecting the evolving landscape of healthcare. Dr. Elana Schrader, Senior Vice President of Florida Blue Healthcare Services, emphasized the transition from fee-for-service to value-based care, wherein payments are tied to improved patient outcomes rather than the volume of services rendered. This paradigm shift, she noted, represents a fundamental change in the healthcare industry.
The primary care center in Jacksonville, a joint venture between Florida Blue and Sanitas, offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at promoting holistic wellness. These services include preventive and primary care, onsite pharmacy dispensing, chronic condition management, mental health services, labs and imaging, and community engagement activities. While the current model does not entail physicians bearing two-sided risk, there is potential for such an arrangement in the future as the clinic operates on principles centered around creating value for patients.
Targeting individuals aged 50 and above as well as Medicare enrollees, the collaboration between Florida Blue and Sanitas began in 2015, to adapt to changes brought about by healthcare reform. Recognizing the need for culturally competent care, the partners sought to expand their services to cater to previously underserved populations.
The Jacksonville center represents the latest addition to a network of 53 collaborative efforts between Florida Blue and Sanitas across the state, primarily focused on primary care. By extending their reach to northeast Florida, the partners aim to meet the needs of the growing Medicare-eligible population, emphasizing early intervention and continuity of care.
In addition to physicians, the center boasts specialized nursing staff trained to address various conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure. Emphasizing a patient-centric approach, Dr. Schrader outlined the five Cs guiding the center’s operations: customization, comprehensiveness, caregiving, convenience, and compassion. These principles underscore the center’s commitment to tailoring care to individual needs, addressing physical, mental, and social aspects of health, supporting caregivers, enhancing accessibility through extended hours and virtual services, and fostering compassionate relationships between care teams and patients
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted systemic deficiencies in mental healthcare, exacerbating existing challenges. Dr. Schrader acknowledged the shortage of behavioral health providers and emphasized the center’s proactive approach to addressing this issue. By integrating behavioral health services into primary care, including access to psychiatrists and virtual care options, the center aims to provide holistic support for patients’ physical and mental well-being, available round-the-clock.
Overall, the collaboration between Florida Blue and Sanitas in Jacksonville represents a groundbreaking initiative to transform healthcare delivery. By embracing value-based principles, integrating mental health services, and prioritizing community engagement, the partnership addresses the multifaceted needs of patients in the region. As healthcare evolves, this innovative approach sets a precedent for future collaborations, emphasizing the importance of patient outcomes, accessibility, and holistic well-being. Together, Florida Blue and Sanitas are reshaping the healthcare landscape in Jacksonville and paving the way for a healthier, more resilient community.
