An organization that provides services to rural hospitals and health care providers in Colorado and Utah will partner with a management services operation to expand value-based care.

The Community Care Alliance, an organization of the Western Healthcare Alliance based in Grand Junction, will join in a joint venture with Collaborative Health Systems. 

The new venture, called Collaborative Choice Healthcare, will work to improve outcomes and lower health care costs for Medicare beneficiaries in rural Colorado communities by sharing information technology, building population health management programs and other efforts.

“We are pleased to be partnering with CHS, which shares our commitment to ensuring health care remains local and affordable, while rewarding providers that collaborate and improve health outcomes for our rural communities,” said Angelina Salazar, chief executive officer of the Western Healthcare Alliance.

The alliance provides a range of services to a total of 32 members in Colorado and Utah.

Anthony Valdés, president of Collaborative Health Systems, said his organization is dedicated to improving outcomes and lowering costs. “We look forward to working with CCA to improve quality, lower costs and help Colorado physicians thrive in value-based care.”

Through the venture, Collaborative Health Systems will provide the Community Care Alliance with data and analysis, growth planning and care coordination. The organizations will operate Medicare accountable care organizations and direct contracting entities as well as enter into value-based care contracts with Medicare Advantage organizations.

Dave Ressler, CEO of Aspen Valley Hospital and chairman of the CCA board, said the partnership will reward health care providers for improving the quality of their care for rural residents. “We undertook an in-depth evaluation process and believe CHS is the right organization to bring success by maintaining healthy populations throughout rural Colorado with better care at lower costs.”