Scott and White Health Plan to acquire FirstCare Health Plans
Scott and White Health Plan (SWHP), part of Baylor Scott & White Health, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire FirstCare Health Plans. This acquisition will allow the two provider-owned health plans to come together to create a more comprehensive and sustainable insurer with a driving focus on enhancing the customer experience through advanced technology.
“For more than 35 years, Scott and White Health Plan has served Central Texas and surrounding communities,” said Jeff Ingrum, CEO of SWHP. “Uniting our health plans will allow us to ensure the long-term viability for both, continuing our histories of Texans serving Texans.”
Collectively, the plans cover nearly 400,000 members. Once finalized, the acquisition will mean for those members an expanded network of providers in the communities the health plans serve. The definitive agreement signed by SWHP and FirstCare Health Plans’ owners, Covenant Health System and Hendrick Health System, is now subject to regulatory approval. Pending that approval, the acquisition is expected to be finalized in early 2019.
Scott and White Health Plan named a best insurance company for Medicare Advantage by U.S. News & World Report
SWHP was named one of the 2019 Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage by U.S. News & World Report. The company was one of only two Medicare providers in Texas to earn this designation. The new ratings are a resource for Medicare beneficiaries and their families searching for the best coverage options during the annual open-enrollment period. This annual “honor roll” of Medicare providers highlights insurance companies that consistently offer highly rated health coverage to Medicare beneficiaries. Insurance companies were recognized if either their Medicare Advantage or their Part D plans received an average rating of 4.5 stars or higher across all plans in a given state.
Baylor Scott & White Health opens new clinics
Baylor Scott & White Health opened several new clinics:
A primary care clinic in Navasota with family medicine; this is the health care system’s first location in Grimes County
A primary care clinic in South Austin’s Onion Creek area; it includes diagnostic x-ray and on-site laboratory services
A third clinic in Georgetown, with family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics, as well as diagnostic x-ray and on-site laboratory services
A clinic in San Marcos, with family medicine, pediatric gastroenterology, adult neurosurgery, and convenient access to diagnostic x-ray and laboratory services
In addition, 14 physicians, seven advanced practice professionals, and more than 80 staff members were added to two Brenham and one Bellville clinic locations.
Through its network of clinics and hospitals, Baylor Scott & White provides greater care coordination through a single electronic medical record that allows medical teams to collaborate. This integrated approach to care helps improve the patient experience and prevent unnecessary medical tests and aims to reduce the time a patient spends in the hospital.
UPCOMING CME PROGRAMS
The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is offering the following programs:
Eighth Annual Central Texas Pediatric Subspecialty for the Primary Care Provider, February 22, 2019, at Hillcrest Medical Center, Waco, Texas
Oncology Review 2019: Best Practices, April 6, 2019, at Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas
39th Annual Everett R. Veirs Lecture and Ophthalmology Conference, April 12–13, 2019
Fourth Annual Baylor University Medical Center 2019 IBD Conference, April 13, 2019, at Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas
35th Annual Family Medicine Review, April 24–27, 2019, at Doubletree Hotel, Austin, Texas
10th Annual Stroke and Neurological Conference, May 18, 2019, at The Westin Galleria, Dallas, Texas
For more information, visit https://www.bswhealth.med/cme.
RECENT GRANTS
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Noncoding RNA biomarkers for noninvasive and early detection of pancreatic cancer
Principal investigator: Ajay Goel, PhD
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute
Funding: $1,020,224
Award period: 8/1/2018–7/31/2019
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Trans-America Consortium of the Health Care Systems Research Network for the All of Us Research Program
Principal investigator: Giovanni Filardo, PhD
Sponsor: Henry Ford Health System/National Institutes of Health
Funding: $639,224
Award period: 7/25/2018–3/31/2019
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Aspirin and cancer prevention in Lynch syndrome: from cell to population data
Principal investigator: Ajay Goel, PhD
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute
Funding: $510,193
Award period: 9/1/2018–8/31/2019
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North Texas traumatic brain injury model system
Principal investigator: Simon Driver, PhD
Sponsor: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
Funding: $459,000
Award period: 9/30/2018–9/29/2019
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Glycemia reduction approaches in diabetes: a comparative effectiveness study
Principal investigator: Priscilla Hollander, MD, PhD
Sponsor: George Washington University/National Institutes of Health
Funding: $437,426
Award period: 8/1/2018–7/31/2019
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Mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy in ileitis
Principal investigator: Arianne Theiss, PhD
Sponsor: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Funding: $360,759
Award period: 9/20/2018–7/31/2019
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Improving transition from acute to post-acute care following traumatic brain injury
Principal investigator: Simon Driver, PhD
Sponsor: University of Washington/Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Funding: $348,453
Award period: 8/1/2017–7/31/2019
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Prospective study of racial and ethnic disparities in chronic pain and pain burden
Principal investigator: Mark Powers, PhD
Sponsor: Rand Corporation/National Institutes of Health
Funding: $267,953
Award period: 3/1/2018–2/28/2019
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Building an evidence base for weight loss strategies among those with chronic spinal cord injury
Principal investigator: Katherine Froehlich-Grobe, PhD
Sponsor: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
Funding: $199,999
Award period: 9/30/2018–9/29/2019
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Prolonged exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial
Principal investigator: Mark Powers, PhD
Sponsor: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
Funding: $199,269
Award period: 9/30/2018–9/29/2019
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Efficacy of an evidence-based healthy lifestyle intervention for people following cerebrovascular accident
Principal investigator: Simon Driver, PhD
Sponsor: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
Funding: $198,868
Award period: 9/30/2018–9/29/2019
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The Northern and Central Vietnam heart attack study
Principal investigator: Hoa Nguyen, MD, PhD
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
Funding: $191,477
Award period: 8/15/2018–4/30/2019
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GamePlan4Care: web-based delivery system for REACH II
Principal investigator: Alan Stevens, PhD
Sponsor: National Institute on Aging
Funding: $182,147
Award period: 9/30/2018–5/31/2019
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Closed-loop neuromodulation to treat PTSD
Principal investigator: Mark Powers, PhD
Sponsor: University of Texas at Dallas/Department of Defense
Funding: $170,000
Award period: 10/1/2018–9/30/2019
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Escitalopram for agitation in Alzheimer disease
Principal investigator: Cindy Marshall, MD
Sponsor: Johns Hopkins/National Institutes of Health
Funding: $161,875
Award period: 7/1/2018–5/31/2019
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Pharmacometric optimization of second-line drugs for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment
Principal investigator: Tawanda Gumbo, MD
Sponsor: University of Cape Town/National Institutes of Health
Funding: $156,265
Award period: 2/15/2018–1/31/2019
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Hepatitis B Research Network clinical centers
Principal investigator: Robert Perrillo, MD
Sponsor: UT Southwestern Medical Center/National Institutes of Health
Funding: $112,000
Award period: 6/1/2018–5/31/2019
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TAPS-ESP: Tobacco, alcohol, prescription drug, and illicit substance use—electronic Spanish platform: technologies to increase screening in primary care to reduce behavioral health disparities
Principal investigator: Katherine Sanchez, PhD
Sponsor: COG Analytics LLC/National Institutes of Health
Funding: $94,164
Award period: 9/19/2018–8/31/2019
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The role of stem cell–derived microvesicles in cholestatic liver injury
Principal investigator: Fanyin Meng, PhD
Sponsor: Texas A&M University Health Science Center/National Institutes of Health
Funding: $75,000
Award period: 7/1/2015–5/31/2020
PHILANTHROPY NOTES
Let’s fight it together
On October 25, 2018, nearly 1300 attendees came together in the fight against breast cancer at the 19th annual Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation Celebrating Women luncheon. Presented for the 14th consecutive year by Tom Thumb and Albertsons, the event raised nearly $1.8 million to benefit Baylor Scott & White Health’s fight against the disease in North Texas.
Mother-daughter team Linda Carter and Christi Carter Urschel were recognized as the 2018 Honorary Chairmen. As dedicated board members, donors, and longtime supporters of Celebrating Women, their impact on Baylor Scott & White and our community is far reaching. This year’s luncheon was chaired by Pat McEvoy and Michal Powell. Shelle Sills served as underwriting chairman.
Karla McKinley was honored with the Lindalyn B. Adams award, named in honor of Lindalyn Adams, who was instrumental in launching Celebrating Women 19 years ago. Throughout her difficult battle with breast cancer, Karla demonstrated grace and strength; through her faith and optimistic outlook, she was an inspiration to countless women. During her remarks, Karla shared that she did not make her journey alone. Her mother, sister, children, husband, and friends rose up beside her and helped her make it through numerous rounds of treatment.
“I am humbled to be on this stage today to say that I am a breast cancer survivor and a new, proud grandmother to the most beautiful little girl you’ve ever seen,” said Karla. “My daughter and granddaughter, your daughters and granddaughters, and our mothers, sisters, and friends are why we fight this battle. I’m honored to be with a group of people who are working so passionately to make sure that those facing a breast cancer diagnosis have the best possible chance to become survivors.”
Emmy award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet was the featured guest at this year’s luncheon. Best known for portraying Cameron Tucker in the ABC sitcom Modern Family, Eric knew that as the popularity of the show grew, so would the opportunity to share his voice for causes important to him.
Interviewed by Foundation president, Rowland K. Robinson, Eric shared an intimate glimpse into his life and advocacy work in the fight against cancer. “It takes a whole group of people to support those going through a battle with cancer. My mom was diagnosed 17 years ago with kidney cancer … and the way I found my usefulness, and have since found my usefulness with people, is what I’m fairly good at, making people laugh,” said Eric. “I also try to be there and listen and understand that for someone who is getting a cancer diagnosis, it is very scary. So my message has become one of humor, but also hope.”
Since the first Celebrating Women luncheon in 2000, nearly $33 million has been raised to help Baylor Scott & White Health fight breast cancer in North Texas.
Grand Rounds raises more than $325,000 for graduate medical education
Teeing off for the 17th annual Grand Rounds® Golf Tournament, 217 golfers helped Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation raise more than $325,000 in support of medical education at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. The tournament, presented by Bank of Texas, was held on October 22, 2018, at the Dallas Country Club.
As the largest not-for-profit health care system in Texas and one of the largest in the United States, Baylor Scott & White Health is committed to educating the future leaders in health care. “At Baylor Scott & White, we are proud of our legacy of teaching,” said Rowland K. Robinson, president of Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of our Grand Rounds sponsors and donors, we are able to continue investing in the next generation of physicians, the backbone of our health care system.”
Philanthropic support of medical education initiatives helps offset the rising cost of educating tomorrow’s physicians. Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation has pledged more than $3.2 million to fund the program in fiscal year 2019. The graduate medical education program at Baylor Dallas trains more than 260 residents and fellows in 40 specialties. The unique and highly sought after teaching environment encompasses experience with a large and diverse patient population. In addition, Baylor Dallas joined forces with Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine to establish a Clinical Training Program for 150 medical students.