WELCOME TO G-HEALTH ENTERPRISES
G-Health Enterprises is a health care organization which encompasses several affiliates: The
Greater Buffalo United Accountable Healthcare Network (GBUAHN), The Greater Buffalo United
Accountable Care Organization (GBUACO), Urban Family Practice and The Greater Buffalo United
Independent Physician’s Association (GBUIPA) facilitated by CEO and President Raul Vazquez, MD.
G-Health Enterprise’s mission is to cultivate hope and quality healthcare in children, families, and
communities.
Starting out as a simple Family Practice on Buffalo’s lower West Side, G-Health Enterprises has
evolved into an ambitious entity bringing about positive change at the neighborhood and state levels.
It is within this multi-faceted organization that we believe change is possible and unconditional,
holistic care is realized. This report is a compilation of the key activities and outputs during 2018.
Looking back, we are proud of the work accomplished but fully recognize that the journey from
“Dreams Into Action” is just beginning.
CONTENTS
Urban Family Practice
• Urban Family Practice Opens Primary Care on Buffalo’s East Side
• GBUAHN and Urban Family Practice introduce electronic self-check-ins
• The American Heart Association has awarded Urban Family Practice a
Target BP Award
• RevSpring Grading
3
GBUACO
• GBUACO metrics show value-based payments are working
• YourCare Partnering with the ACO Produces Two Important Grants to
Help Vulnerable Patients
• Grant Funds Medication to Assist in Opioid Related Deaths
• GBUACO the only ACO in NY state to receive NCQA accreditation
Quality in the Value Based Pilot
• Agreed-upon quality metrics
• Results
6
9
GBUAHN
• GBUAHN Receives 5-star Rating from NY State Department of Health
• GBUAHN Nationally recognized for excellence in case management
• GBUAHN and Tyto Team Up for a unique Telehealth Program
• G-Health now using MEDENT for face-to-face patient and care
coordinator meetings anytime, anywhere
• RevSpring Grading
12
Wellness
• G-Health Member Wellness Report
20
YourCare
• Better Together
22
G-Health Enterprises
23
Events
24
3
URBAN FAMILY PRACTICE
Urban Family Practice’s main site on Niagara Street on Buffalo’s West Side. “It’s hard to
get providers around here,”.
Urban Family Practice Opens
the Jefferson facility. The practice is led by Dr.
Primary Care on Buffalo’s East Side Chet Fox, formerly with UBMD Family Medicine
and a former faculty member of UB’s Jacobs
A Buffalo primary care medical practice has
School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. The
opened a second site in the city, taking over an
opening comes just months after the shutdown
East Side practice previously operated by UB
of another City of Buffalo clinic. Lifetime
from D’Youville Family Medicine. College That will site shuttered start in in February. June of
Healthcare closed its clinic at the William E.
2017 citing difficulties in attracting new family
Mosher Health Center in late December. “The
medicine physicians to the clinic in its decision
The practice also added three medical assistants closing of and two a city coordinator, clinics six months all of has whom led
to close the site after 12 years, eliminating
trained at the West Side clinic and are now seeing to increased patients at volume,” the Jefferson states Vazquez. clinic.
the urban component of its family medicine
residency program.
faculty member of UB’s Jacobs School of Medicine "It's been & Biomedical swamped. Now, Sciences. we'll
Difficulty finding providers to staff the site was
The opening comes just months after the shutdown be able of to another shift some City of of Buffalo them clinic:
also an issue for Urban Family Practice, leading
Lifetime
to
Healthcare
a six-month
closed
delay in
its
its opening.
clinic at
Urban
the William back E. Mosher to the east Health side Center clinic in late
Family Practice reopened the site Jan. 22, 2018 closer to home. It’s right in the
practice at sites. Jefferson and West Utica. The location will
community and it’s easier or
“The closing complement of two Urban city Family clinics Practice’s in six main months site has led to increased patient volume,”
on Niagara Street on Buffalo’s West Side.
them to get there.”
Still, Vazquez was successful in recruiting and training seven nurse practitioners to the
region, including individuals from Pennsylvania and the Carolinas, of whom five stayed.
They also had to wait for insurance and licensing information to be finalized, a process
that can take 90 days. Additionally, two new physician assistants recently graduated
The practice is led by Dr. Chet Fox, formerly with UBMD Family Medicine and a former
December after a decision by its Rochester-based parent to close all of its primary care
states Vazquez.
“It’s been Dr. swamped,” Vazquez was successful he said. in “Now, recruiting we’ll and be able to shift some of them back to (the
East Side training clinic), seven so Nurse it’s Practitioners closer to to their region, homes. It’s right in the community and it’s easier
for them including to get individuals there.” from Pennsylvania and
The practice the Carolinas. expects Urban to Family see close Practice to assisted 50,000 patients in 2018, nearly double the volume
from 2017.
the practitioners
Vazquez
with
has
obtaining
also implemented
insurance and
new technology to ease entry, using
licensing information, a process that can take 90
computer kiosks reception areas. The kiosk allow patients to check-in, update their
days. Additionally, two new physician assistants
information in the electronic record system, sign consent forms, upload patient photos
recently graduated from D’Youville College and
and even make co-pays with a credit card.
have joined the practice.
“We’re trying to innovate new ways of streamlining the process,” states Vazquez.
The practice also added three medical assistants
and a coordinator, all of whom trained at the
West Side clinic and are now seeing patients at
The practice expects to have close to 35,000
patient visits in 2018, nearly double the volume
from 2017. Vazquez has also implemented new
technology to ease entry, using computer kiosks
in reception areas. The kiosk allows patients
to check-in, update their information in the
electronic record system, sign consent forms,
upload patient photos and even make co-pays
with a credit card.
“We’re trying to innovate new ways of
streamlining the process,” states Vazquez.
6
GBUACO
GBUACO metrics show
value-based payments are working
It has been more than three years since the New
York State Department of Health gave the Greater
Buffalo United Accountable Care Organization
(GBUACO) the green light to operate as the first
Medicaid ACO in the state. GBUACO is a pioneer
in the movement from a treatment system – a
system that responds when someone is ill – to
a prevention system that focuses on keeping
people healthy. GBUACO operates a valuebased
payment system for the providers in its
network, emphasizing the triple aim of health
care – improved population health, improved
patient care, and decreased costs. Value-based
care models center on patient outcomes –
outcomes based on clearly defined metrics that
demonstrate how the providers within the ACO
network are doing in keeping patients healthy.
Value-based payments compensate providers
based on the quality versus the quantity of
services rendered. As a result, expensive
duplicative medical tests are reduced, as are
unneeded, costly and inconvenient repeat office
visits.
Some of the health metrics used
to measure quality in a Medicaid
accountable care organization
include:
• Behavioral health medication
management effectiveness
• Nephropathy treatment of
diabetic patients
• Sexually Transmitted Infection
(STI or STD) screening rates
• Breast cancer screening rates
During a six-month timeframe during year one
of the pilot value-based payment program,
GBUACO was able to successfully meet six of
the required quality metrics and came in at
just 5% over the estimated medical loss ratio
budget (the proportion of insurance premium
revenues spent on clinical services and quality
improvement; or, how much of a premium dollar
is a loss to the insurance company in the form
of paying for medical benefits). Achievements
include 91% compliance for nephropathy
treatment of diabetic patients and 71%
compliance in chlamydia screening for women
ages 16 – 20. “Through focused attention on
the medical loss ratio within GBUACO, analysts
were able to determine that GBUACO patients
are on average more complex and riskier
than other comparable patients,” states Raul
Vazquez, M.D., President and Chief Executive
Officer of GBUACO.
“Ostensibly, it should be more
expensive and challenging to
keep these individuals well.
However, GBUACO’s network
of providers is still able to keep
costs low, while improving the
most serious chronic conditions
applying a value-based care
model.”
In fact, GBUACO has improved further in budget
containment for pilot year two by providing
quality care at only 74% of its medical loss
ratio budget. Decreased costs are achieved
by utilizing techniques such as choose wisely,
prescribing generic medications rather than
name brands, and avoiding costly hospital visits.
7
The second is a New York State AIDS Foundation
Through the implementation of a valuebased
care model, GBUACO has leveraged grant to help people with HIV – AIDS to be more
its relationship with Greater Buffalo United engaged in their disease management. Through
Accountable Healthcare Network (GBUAHN) to this grant, patients are closely monitored to
provide care coordination services and assist in increase medication compliance. This was
decreasing avoidable emergency room visits. In supposed to be a six-month program, but it
fact, GBUACO has decreased avoidable ER visits was so successful statewide, that it has been
by over 30% during 2018 compared to the same extended for at least one more year.
time frame during 2017.
Grant Funds Medication to Assist in
“Physicians in the past did not work together as Opioid Related Deaths
a rule,” states Vazquez. “ GBUACO is changing
ovide care coordination services and assist in decreasing avoidable emergency Project room is a partnership of Monroe Plan, GBUACO,
its. In fact, GBUACO that has because decreased providers avoidable know ER visits they by over can 30% give during and 2018 Endeavor Health Services to expand access
mpared to the same better time care frame working during 2017. together to keep their
to MAT treatment for Medicaid recipients The
hysicians in the patients past did not as work healthy together as as possible, a rule,” states and Vazquez. they will “GBUACO Substance is Abuse and Mental Health Services
anging that because rewarded providers know for doing they can so.” give better care working together to
ep their patients as healthy as possible, and they will be rewarded for doing Administration so.” (SAMHSA) hasawarded a threeyear,
$1.5 million grant to Monroe Plan for Medical
YourCare Partnering with the ACO
Produces Two Important Grants to
ge (10)
Care, a not-forprofit Medicaid managed care
Help Vulnerable Patients:
organization, to enhance access to medicationassisted
treatment (MAT) services for Medicaid
urCare Partnering Because with the of ACO the partnership Produces Two of Important this Value-Based Grants to Help
lnerable Patients:
cause of the partnership Payment, of YourCare this Value-Based was able Payment, to obtain YourCare two was major able to recipients obtain with opioid use disorder (OUD).
o major grants. grants. The first was The a first $1.5 was million a three-year $1.5 million SAMHSA three-year grant that is
The
a
Greater Buffalo United Accountable Care
llaboration between YourCare, GBUACO, and Endeavor Behavioral Health to provide
dication Assisted SAMHSA Treatment grant (MAT) that for people is a collaboration with opioid use between disorder. Endeavor Organization (GBUACO) and Endeavor Health
havioral Health YourCare, is now co-located GBUACO, in Urban and Family Endeavor Practice. Behavioral
This will provide primary
Services (Endeavor) will work in partnership
re and substance abuse services to over 500 people who have been unfortunately
ught up in the current Health opioid to provide crisis.Medication Assisted Treatment to help deliver the project titled, “Addressing
(MAT) for people with opioid use disorder. Buffalo’s Opioid Epidemic with Medicatione
second is a New York State AIDS Foundation grant to help people with HIV – AIDS
be virus free. If Endeavor they continue Behavioral to take the Health medicine is as now prescribed, co-located they in will be Assisted Treatment.” GBUACO is a New York
ectively cured of Urban AIDS. Family This was Practice. supposed This to be will a six-month provide program, primary but it was so
ccessful statewide, that it has been extended for at least one more year. state-authorized Medicaid accountable care
care and substance abuse services to over 500
organization and Endeavor Health Services is a
people who have been unfortunately caught up
private, not-for-profit organization that provides
in the current opioid crisis.
a wide array of behavioral health services.
The project will expand access to MAT services,
including the medications buprenorphine and
naltrexone, to primary care doctors in the GBUACO
network and their patients with OUD. The goal
of the program is to reduce opioid misuse and
overdose deaths among Medicaid beneficiaries in
Erie County. According to the Erie County Health
Department, 268 county residents died of a
confirmed or suspected opiate overdose in 2017.
8
“Long-lasting changes in brain chemistry can
cause difficulty with abstaining from opioid
use; withdrawal symptoms and cravings can
be overwhelming,” states Raul Vazquez, M.D.,
Chief Executive Officer of GBUACO. “MAT can
help reduce withdrawal symptoms and curb
opioid cravings that can lead to relapse. In fact,
studies show that long-term MAT has an 85%
chance of reducing mortality among people
with OUDs. The importance of this SAMHSA
grant cannot be overstated.”
Among other objectives, the program is
designed to drop the incidence of illicit opioid
use and prescription opioid misuse among
project participants from a baseline of 56%
to 45% by the end of 2019; to 42.5% in 2020;
and to 40% by the end of 2021. By the end of
each project year, 90% of GBUACO’s primary
care doctors will have completed trainings
and adopted consistent evidence-based MAT
treatment guidelines. A full 100 percent of
GBUACO’s primary care physicians will have
daily access to support from addiction medicine
practitioners. By the end of September 2019,
70 percent of all GBUACO practices will have a
primary care doctor certified to prescribe MAT
pharmaceuticals.
GBUACO the only ACO in NY state to
receive NCQA accreditation
The National Committee for Quality Assurance
(NCQA) has presented the Greater Buffalo United
Accountable Care Organization (GBUACO)
level two accreditation as an Accountable Care
Organization (ACO).
GBUACO is dedicated to delivering coordinated
patient-centered care and is accountable for
improving clinical quality, enhancing the patient
experience and reducing cost. The NCQA sets its
standards high to encourage Accountable Care
Organizations like GBUACO to continuously
enhance the quality of services they deliver.
“This NCQA accreditation is a huge honor
for GBUACO, which in its very first year of
existence,” states GBUACO CEO Raul Vazquez,
M.D. “We are changing the way health care is
delivered in Buffalo and Western New York.
GBUACO’s quality performance measures
prove the success. The NCQA sets its standards
high, making this accreditation very difficult
to achieve, with only five other ACOs in the
entire country holding this honor.” The NCQA
Accountable Care Organization Accreditation
not only involves a rigorous review of an
organization’s structure and processes, but also
requires organizations to collect data on key
clinical and service measures (e.g., preventive
screenings, comprehensive diabetes care;).
(MORE) “By earning NCQA ACO Accreditation,
GBUACO has demonstrated to payers and
other purchasers that it has met challenging
requirements designed to show the efficiency,
integration and high quality expected of an
accountable care organization,” states NCQA
President Margaret E. O’Kaner.” Accreditation
also shows patients and providers that GBUACO
is prepared to deliver on the promise of better
care on all these dimensions.”
GBUACO is currently the only ACO in New
York State to receive the accreditation and
one of only four ACOs in the U.S. to receive
this distinction. Earning NCQA accreditation
as an Accountable Care Organization
shows that
9
QUALITY IN THE
VALUE-BASED PILOT
The Value-Based Payment Plan is a new way to monitor and reward doctors for providing higher
quality healthcare services. In a value based payment model, metrics are monitored for a more
individualized approach to population health management. Doctors are evaluated based on the
ability to meet quality metrics, reduce emergency room and inpatient utilization, and provide
preventive screenings to all eligible patients. GBUACO is one of the first New York State Value-
Based Pilot programs. Our partnership is with YourCare Health Plan. As part of this arrangement,
15 quality metrics were agreed upon to help improve care. If care was improved and cost reduced,
the ACO would be deemed successful.
Total Quality Score
(Maximum of 15 Points Available)
12 or greater
10 to 11
8 to 9
6 to 7
Below 6
Reduction in Shared Savings
No Reduction - full Shared Savings
25% Reduction
50% Reduction
75% Reduction
100% Reduction
AGREED-UPON QUALITY METRICS
Antidepressant Medication Management - Acute
Asthma Medication Ratio - Age 5 - 18
Asthma Medication Ratio - Age 19 - 64
Adolescent Well Care Visits
Breast Cancer Screening
Controlling High Blood Pressure
Comprehensive Diabetes Care - HbA1C Test
Comprehensive Diabetes Care - Eye Exams
Comprehensive Diabetes Care - Nephropathy
Comprehensive Diabetes Care - Blood Pressure Control < 140/90
Comprehensive Diabetes Care - Good HbA1C Control < 8.0
Chlamydia Screening - Age 16 - 24
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Statin Therapy for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease - Statin Adherence 80%
Well Child Visit in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Years of Life
10
GAPS IN CARE RESULTS
Urban Family Practice was the leader in accomplishing this: meeting 15 out of 15 measures.
Group Measures Met
GBUIPA 13
JERICHO 10
KALEIDA 8
ECMC 7
WNY MED 3
QUALITY METRIC RESULTS 2018
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
UFP
GBUIPA
GBUACO
YourCare
75.53%
64.55%
59%
60%
83.04%
76.73%
67%
65%
65.18%
65.41%
60%
57%
69.23%
63.64%
68%
70%
69.65%
65.27%
53%
55%
90.12%
81.52%
75%
64%
96.43%
94.34%
91%
92%
93.75%
94.34%
92%
89%
82.14%
77.36%
67%
67%
71.01%
65.91%
62%
49%
77.78%
70%
66%
79%
64.29%
62.33%
66%
66%
92.31%
92.31%
83%
84%
85.26%
85.44%
74%
69%
85.45%
87.69%
81%
69%
Source: QARR
* 1 Controlling High Blood Pressure
2 Comprehensive Diabetes Care - Blood Pressure Control < 140/90
3 Comprehensive Diabetes Care - Good HbA1C Control < 8.0
4 Statin Therapy for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease - Statin Adherence 80%
5 Colorectal Cancer Screening
6 Asthma Medication Ratio - Age 19 - 64
7 Comprehensive Diabetes Care - Nephropathy
8 Comprehensive Diabetes Care - HbA1C Test
9 Comprehensive Diabetes Care - Eye Exams
10 Antidepressant Medication Management - Acute
11 Asthma Medication Ratio - Age 5 - 18
12 Adolescent Well Care Visits
13 Well Child Visit in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Years of Life
14 Breast Cancer Screening
15 Chlamydia Screening - Age 16 - 24
11
GAPS IN CARE
RESULTS COMPARISON
The ACO Outperformed both State and National Averages
• The ACO did better than the Nation in all 12 measurable metrics
• The ACO did better than the New York State in 9 of 15 metrics
EVIDENCE BASED METRICS
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
59%
61%
57%
67%
61%
63%
60%
58%
49%
68%
66%
63%
53%
62%
0%
75%
57%
0%
91%
93%
90%
92%
91%
88%
67%
67%
57%
62%
52%
54%
66%
64%
0%
66%
68%
53%
83%
85%
73%
74%
71%
58%
81%
75%
59%
Source: QARR
* 1 Controlling High Blood Pressure
2 Comprehensive Diabetes Care - Blood Pressure Control < 140/90
3 Comprehensive Diabetes Care - Good HbA1C Control < 8.0
4 Statin Therapy for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease - Statin Adherence 80%
5 Colorectal Cancer Screening
6 Asthma Medication Ratio - Age 19 - 64
7 Comprehensive Diabetes Care - Nephropathy
8 Comprehensive Diabetes Care - HbA1C Test
9 Comprehensive Diabetes Care - Eye Exams
10 Antidepressant Medication Management - Acute
11 Asthma Medication Ratio - Age 5 - 18
12 Adolescent Well Care Visits
13 Well Child Visit in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Years of Life
14 Breast Cancer Screening
15 Chlamydia Screening - Age 16 - 24
12
GBUAHN
GBUAHN Receives 5-Star Rating
From NY State Department of
Health
Western New York’s largest Health Home
continues to excel with top scores. The Greater
Buffalo United Accountable Healthcare Network
(GBUAHN) has been given a 5-star score from
the New York State Department of Health
on the 2018 Health Home Report Card. The
honor comes as GBUAHN continues to grow
and expand throughout Western New York,
currently engaging with well over 10,000
members. We rank in the top ten for health
homes in the entire state. The recognition
reinforces GBUAHN’s dedication to serving
our community and solidifies that healthcare
management of the highest standard is close to
home for thousands of residents of WNY and
Erie County.
“We are very proud to be recognized not only
for the hard work our organization puts in, but
for the benefit it provides to our members and
the community,” states GBUAHN CEO Dr. Raul
Vazquez. “We will continue to keep growing
and working to positively impact healthcare in
Western New York. We have a vision of where
we want to go and what we can do – and we will
continue to strive to achieve that vision at the
highest levels possible.”
Receiving high marks across the board,
GBUAHN also received 5-star ratings in Health
and Recovery Plan (HARP) conversions as
well as member retention. These rankings
help to cement GBUAHN as the health home
of choice in WNY and directly align with our
mission to transform healthcare by removing
social determinants of health in underserved
communities. Our organization works hard
to assist members with their health issues
and concerns and to help Medicaid recipients
receive the health coordination services that
fully address their needs.
Established under the Affordable Care Act
of 2010, GBUAHN was founded in 2013 as a
health home that coordinates care for people
with Medicaid who have two or more chronic
conditions, have a serious mental or behavioral
health condition, and/or HIV/ AIDS. This free
service integrates all primary care, acute,
behavioral health and longterm services and
supports to treat the whole person. Care teams
work closely with members to get them all the
services they need in the community.
Rated 5-star health home
by New York State
Department of Health
15
GBUAHN NCQA Case Management
GBUAHN nationally recognized for
excellence in case management
The National Committee for Quality Assurance
(NCQA) has announced that GBUAHN has
received Level Two NCQA Case Management
Accreditation. GBUAHN is the first and only health
home organization in New York State to achieve
NCQA recognition for Case Management.
Earning NCQA’s Case Management Accreditation
shows that GBUAHN’s Case Management
program is dedicated to care coordination,
patient-centeredness and improving quality of
care: getting the right care to patients. NCQA
sets its standards high to encourage case
management organizations like GBUAHN to
continuously enhance the quality of services
they deliver. NCQA Case Management
Accreditation is the only program that focuses
on care transition.
GBUAHN CEO, Raul Vazquez, M.D. states, “This
NCQA accreditation in case management
for GBUAHN is huge in our organization’s
commitment to providing smart, coordinated
health care for the Medicaid patients we
serve...Our Patient Health Navigators (PHN), or
care coordinators work tirelessly to organize
the right services for our members through
the development of individualized care plans
tailored to the individual needs of the patient.”
To accomplish accreditation,
GBUAHN had to meet particular
standards set by the NCQA:
• Staying up to date on evidence
based care management
techniques
• Develop personalized, patient
centered care plans
• Monitor care plan goals so that
goals are reached and adjusted
as needed
• Coordinate resources and
share information to ensure
safe transitions
• Give patients access to
knowledgeable, well-qualified
case management staff
• Keep personal information
secure
NCQA Accreditation standards are developed
with input from researchers in the field, the
Case Management Expert Panel and standing
committees, employers, both purchasers and
operators of Case Management programs, state
and federal regulators and other experts.
“Case Management Accreditation moves us
closer to measuring quality across population
health management initiatives,” states
President, NCQA, Margaret E. O’Kane. “Not
only does it add value to existing quality
improvement efforts; it also demonstrates
an organization’s commitment to the highest
degree of improving the quality of their
patients’ care.”
17
United States. Those who suffer from conditions
that make getting to the doctor challenging will
now have unprecedented access to specialists
from the comfort of their homes.”
G-Health now using MEDENT for
face-to-face patient and care
coordinator meetings anytime,
anywhere
G-Health Enterprises has teamed up with its
electronic health record MEDENT, to make faceto-face
meetings between its members and
patient health navigators (PHNs) easier. Utilizing
a tele-health system from MEDENT, GBUAHN
members can schedule a time to meet with
their patient health navigators digitally. With
the MEDENT patient portal, video-visits are
scheduled to accommodate a smart phone or
laptop (or desktop) computer. Once the meeting
time is set up, the member and patient health
navigator will be able to engage in a face to face
interaction from remote locations.
“Having this connection through MEDENT
directly to our GBUAHN members is another
fantastic way G-Health is tearing down barriers
to care created by the social determinants of
health,” states Raul Vazquez, M.D., Chief Executive
Officer of G-Health Enterprises. “Now, members
have the power right in their hands to schedule
face-to-face contacts with their PHNs, and they
won’t have to deal with barriers such as finding
transportation and child care.” Through the
use of MEDENT telehealth capabilities and other
innovative strategies, G-Health Enterprises will be
able to address the social determinants of health
and clinical needs with a 360-degree approach.
“Physicians staying connected to their patients
is essential for positive outcomes... with
telehealth, that communication piece has
never been easier.... ultimately keeping people
healthier,” states Barbara E. Cuthbert, MEDENT
vice president of sales and marketing.”
19
GBUAHN Affects Social
Determinants of Health
Health Home Supportive
Housing Program
In 2018, GBUAHN, through its partners at Hispanos Unidos de Buffalo – (HUB), and also the Delivery
System Reform Incentive Program (DSRIP) and Person Centered Services Care Coordination
Organization (PCSCCO) was awarded a Medicaid Redesign Team Supportive Housing Health Home
Project grant. Through the use of targeted vouchers and housing retention assistance this will enable
up to 40 eligible Health Home beneficiaries to secure safe, permanent housing in market –rate units
close to their primary care medical homes.This grant is a five-year program with shared responsibility
among eligible individuals and case managers to ensure stability.
GBUAHN - In Collaboration With United Health Care
Also in 2018 GBUAHN was approached by United HealthCare with a proposal to make available up to
12 one bedroom permanent and affordable housing in scattered sites to place referred members. The
program will allow for full participation in benefits such as sleeping quarters, nutrition, transportation,
support programs for employment training as well as navigation to health/ behavioral services and
case management. In home visits during the first three months will include daily living and Life Skills
coaching, financial skills management and household budgeting, utilization of social and health
related services, as well as family motivation, connections with natural supports and enrollment and
monitoring participation in employment skills training programs.
20
WELLNESS:
G-HEALTH MEMBER WELLNESS REPORT
2018 brought the continuation and expansion
of G-Health’s successful Employee and Member
Wellness programs. Located in the lower level
at 564 Niagara Street, the program is comprised
of a gym and teaching kitchen to help G-Health
employees and members improve their health.
Providing services free-of-charge five days per
week, Member Wellness has become a staple
of how G-Health cares for the population
we serve. The Member Wellness program
focuses on medication (if needed), exercise,
nutrition, and cooking classes to get results. All
GBUAHN wellness employees are certified in
health coaching which allows them to develop
customized treatment plans for each member.
The nutrition classes were designed by our
Registered Dietitian using evidence based
practice. This technique was used for chronic
disease management and allowed for the
translation of the material into simple and easyto-remember
tools. This translation has enabled
participants to easily employ new habits in their
daily lifestyle. In addition, exercise classes are
customized for each member by our certified
personal trainer. In conjunction, the nutrition
classes and gym sessions arm participants with
the skills to improve their diet and lifestyle one
step at a time.
To add to the Member Wellness services, a
partnership with Roswell Park began this past
year to provide in-house smoking cessation
education groups. Past, current, or neversmoker
members can attend the monthly
classes to learn the risks of smoking and benefits
of quitting. Wellness staff are also available to
help members develop a quit plan when they
are ready.
The benefits of the program extend past lifestyle
changes. Many members attend G-Health
22
YOURCARE:
BETTER TOGETHER
Time flies when you’re working hard to ensure vulnerable populations have healthcare coverage,
collaborate with organizations to provide access to essential resources for members, significantly
improve healthcare quality, and ultimately, better the communities you serve. That’s exactly what
GBUACO and YourCare Health Plan have accomplished together since their historic partnership
began.
In September 2016, YourCare became the first Medicaid health plan to join forces with the first
As of early 2019, both organizations have agreed to a three-year extension with regard
Medicaid Accountable Care Organization, GBUACO. The two-year pilot program was the first of its
to the value-based payment arrangement. Looking forward, GBUACO and YourCare
kind in New York State. The major goals of the collaboration were to improve healthcare quality and
envision countless opportunities for growth. Increasing community presence and
reduce costs for Medicaid recipients enrolled in YourCare Health Plan through the value-based
awareness as partners is a major key to our success. We must continue to
payment system; yet, so much more has been accomplished by bringing YourCare and GBUACO
demonstrate that we’re all in – all in for members, all in for patients, all in for providers,
together.
all in for the Western New York community, all in for better healthcare outcomes, and all
In fact, we’re all in.
in for one another! Follow elements of our transformative partnership on social media -
@yourcarehealthplan or @gbuahn.
Not only have both teams committed investments, they’ve also dedicated time – leading
ideas into action. The myriad of ways the two organizations have collaborated since the
partnership’s inception is listed below:
• YourCare Facilitated Enrollers
embedded at G-Health locations
• Quality improvement initiatives
• Co-hosting/co-sponsoring
events
• Co-branded marketing items
• Co-branded media campaigns
• Communications collaboration
• “Feet on the street” initiatives
As of early 2019, both organizations have agreed to a three-year extension with regard to the
value-based payment arrangement.
Page (20)
Looking forward, GBUACO and YourCare envision countless
opportunities for growth. Increasing community presence and awareness as partners is a major
key to our success. We must continue to demonstrate that we’re all in – all in for members, all in for
patients, all in for providers, all G-Health in for the Enterprises
Western New York community, all in for better healthcare
outcomes, and all in for one another! Follow elements of our transformative partnership on social
Awards:
media - @yourcarehealthplan or @gbuahn.
• NAACP’s Medgar Evers Award of Distinction -Trailblazer
• Lupus Alliance LEAN Forward Award
• Business First of Buffalo “Who’s Who in Health Care” – Dr. Raul Vazquez
23
G-HEALTH ENTERPRISES
Awards:
• NAACP’s Medgar Evers Award of Distinction -Trailblazer
• Lupus Alliance LEAN Forward Award
• Business First of Buffalo “Who’s Who in Health Care” – Dr. Raul Vazquez
• Business First of Buffalo “Who’s Who in Health Care” – Dr. Chet Fox
• Peter Sheehan Diabetes Care Foundation Recognition of Excellence Award
• Spotlight on Population Health (SOPHi Award) – GBUAHN
• Bryant and Stratton 2018 Community Partners award – Urban Family Practice
• Business First Health Care Champions – Dr. Fox
• Business First Western New York’s Healthiest Employer – Finalist (GBUAHN)
• UFP the Target BP Award from the American Heart Association.
Greater Buffalo United IPA
Raul Vazquez, M.D. F.A.A.F.P.
President & CEO
Kenneth L. Gayles, M.D.
F.A.A.C.C.
Vice President
Dwight Lewis, M.D.
Secretary
Winston Douglas, M.D.
Treasurer
Frances Ilozue, M.D.
Riffat Sadiq, M.D.
Ted Triana, D.O.
Kenton Forte, M.D.
Jesslyn Perry, M.D.
George Haddad, M.D.
GBUACO Board of Directors
Raul Vazquez, M.D. F.A.A.F.P.
President & CEO
Kenneth L. Gayles, M.D.
F.A.A.C.C.
Vice President
Frances Ilozue, M.D.
Secretary
Riffat Sadiq, M.D.
Treasurer
Kenton Forte, M.D.
Jesslyn Perry, M.D.
George Haddad, M.D.
Winston Douglas, M.D.
Dwight Lewis, M.D.
Faizan Haq
Joseph Serghany, M.D.
Nicolas P. Saikali, M.D.
Rohith Saravanan, M.D.
Roan Reynolds
Phenerson Chillis
G-Health Enterprises
Executives
Raul Vazquez, M.D. F.A.A.F.P.
President & CEO
Toni Vazquez
Chief Systems Officer
Chet Fox, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
Ivan Agosto
Chief Operating Officer
Luis A. Santiago
Chief Financial Officer
Ava White
Senior Vice President of
Outreach
Nadia Vazquez
Senior Director of Value
Based Payments
Nina Vazquez
Director of Value Based
Payments
Jason A. Isbrandt
Director of Marketing/
Provider Relations
G-Health Enterprises 2018
Annual Report
Photographers:
Christian Casillas
Communications Specialist/
Multimedia Producer
Pablo Colon
Graphic Designer
Writers:
Christian Casillas
Communications Specialist/
Multimedia Producer
Chet Fox, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
Nadia Vazquez
Senior Director of Value
Based Payments
Diane Livingston
Member Services
Annual Report Designers:
Christian Casillas
Communications Specialist/
Multimedia Producer
24
EVENTS
“Soft” opening of Urban at Jefferson
Urban Family Practice Health Fair
Corporate Challenge
Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival
Jefferson Open House (June 2)
GBUACO 4th Annual Golf Tournament
Juneteenth
Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway
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