Valley-Wide clinics accepted to Colorado State Innovation Model

VALLEY — Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc. (VWHS) is proud to announce the selection of 11 primary care sites in the second cohort of the Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM).

The sites selected for participation in the SIM initiative are: Alamosa Family Medical Center and Sierra Blanca Medical Center in Alamosa; Cesar Chavez Family Medical Center in Center; Edward M. Kennedy Health Center in Monte Vista; Guadalupe Health Center in Antonito; San Luis Health Center in San Luis; La Junta Clinic in La Junta; Las Animas Clinic, in Las Animas; Rocky Ford Clinic in Rocky Ford; and Fremont Family Medical Center and Valley-Wide Canon City in Canon City.

VWHS Chief Operating Officer Adam Roberts noted: “We are excited about this opportunity.  We are looking forward to transitioning our clinics to improve the patient experience by addressing each patient through whole-person care. By delivering a value-based model of care, which will also embody integrated behavioral and physical health, we will strive to improve the health outcomes for our communities that we so proudly serve.”

VWHS will join 92 practices from cohort one and the 153 additional practices selected alongside VWHS in cohort two, in the SIM initiative of integrating behavioral health and primary care as well as testing value-based payment models. The SIM initiative, funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has an overarching goal to improve the health of Coloradans by providing access to integrated primary care and behavioral health services in coordinated community systems, with value-based payment structures, for 80 percent of state residents by 2019.

Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc., a Community/Migrant Health Center (C/MHC) is a private non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation governed by a volunteer community board. Established in 1976, Valley-Wide has 13 primary health care delivery sites strategically located throughout multiple rural counties in Southern Colorado. These full-service clinics are complemented by eight dental clinics, four physical therapy clinics, and numerous ancillary health services to address routine and/or complex needs of the patient populations and communities served.

Valley-Wide serves all ages through a family practice focus approach. Emphasis is placed on assisting the patient, reducing barriers such as cost, culture, language, literacy, and transportation that may hinder use of appropriate health care services.

Along with multiple outreach programs, Valley-Wide also oversees an Agricultural Worker Health Service Program that provides vouchers to patients in areas of the state that do not house C/MHCs.

For more Information on the Colorado State Innovation Model, visit https://www.colorado.gov/healthinnovation.  For more Information on Valley-Wide Health Systems, visit https://vwhs.org/.