ACO Reach

An ACO, or “accountable care organization,” is a team of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers who work together to coordinate care for patients. ACOs have agreed with Medicare to be accountable for care quality and cost. They were created to help patients have a better care experience.

We will help you get the right care at the right time. Health care can be confusing. We have a care team who will work with you on your care. Our team may:

• Help you know what care you need to have next.
• Help you set up appointments.
• Help increase access to health care providers, both in-person and online.
• Make sure you only have the tests and appointments you need.
• Connect you with local services or support you may need.
• Make sure your medications are safe to take together.
• Spot health problems before they become serious.
• Answer any questions you have about your care.

Other benefits may include home health care – even if you are not housebound, home visits following hospital discharge and increased access to skilled nursing facility care, should you need it.

In addition to your regular health care providers, should you be admitted to the hospital your care team will include a nurse care manager and customer service team. Your nurse care manager will coordinate your care with the facilities, and work with you to manage your health conditions and get the services you need. A customer service member may connect you with health care appointments and local resources as well. They can also help you understand and use your benefits.

You will still be able to see your primary care provider and other providers of your choice, including specialists. Joining Belong Health ACO will not restrict your physician network. The ACO REACH program does not replace your Medicare or in any way change your Medicare benefits. You can choose or change your main doctor any time.

There is no cost to you, your Medicare benefits will not change, and you can visit any health care provider or hospital that accepts Medicare.

Yes. You will still be able to see your Primary Care Provider, whether or not you join Belong Health ACO.

If you join and decide later that you want to opt out, contact Belong Health ACO at (800) 862-0608, or call Medicare at (800) MEDICARE [(800) 633-4227]. TTY users should call (877) 486-2048.

Belong Health partners with health systems, clinics and providers to provide wholistic care management and health care navigation assistance for Medicare patients. Belong Health is one of 122 ACOs across the country taking part in Medicare’s innovative ACO REACH program. The goal of ACO REACH is to help Medicare and health care providers move towards a value-based care model aimed at keeping patients as healthy as possible.

If you’ve been seeing your GHC-SCW primary care provider regularly over recent years and they are part of the ACO REACH program, you may be automatically enrolled.

If you have not received a letter announcing your enrollment, you can request to be enrolled a few ways:

1. Fill out this form that says you are a patient of your Primary Care Provider.
2. Request an attestation form from your primary care provider or use the attestation form you have received from Belong Health ACO by mail or email.
3. Go to Medicare.gov and choose “login”. You must have an account and login. If you do not have an account you can create one here. Once you are logged in, you must select your doctor’s name and designate them as your primary care provider.