A Grand Junction-based health care organization has entered into an agreement to provide additional services to Medicare customers in Mesa and Delta counties.

Under the agreement, Monument Health will provide health care services to Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage customers in the two counties. Monument Health will provide population health management services as a part of a risk- sharing, value-based agreement.

“We are thrilled to add a well-known and trusted insurance product like Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare business to our network,” said Ashley Thurow, executive director of Monument Health.

“When Medicare beneficiaries receive prevention-focused, personalized care, they live healthier lives. Monument Health is excited to support this value-based care effort alongside Cigna.”

Thurow said population health management offers a strategy to help manage the health of patients while focusing on preventive efforts.

Care coordinators with Monument Health will work with members as well as network health care providers to promote early intervention and prevention for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, Thurow said. Care coordinators will help schedule appointments for such preventive measures as diabetes management, mammograms, nutrition support, smoking cessation classes and weight management.

As the largest clinically integrated network in Western Colorado, Monument Health serves a total of 75,000 patients.

Autumn Zank, market president for Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare business, praised the collaboration. “Adding Monument Health to our Medicare Advantage network is another way we can provide customers access to high-quality, affordable health care in the area,” Zank said. “We share Monument’s commitment to delivering improved health outcomes while helping lower the cost of the care in the region.”

Dr. Brian Davidson, market medical executive for the Mountain States region of Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare business, agreed.

“It has been exciting to watch Monument Health’s track record for quality care since its inception,” said Davidson, who previously served as president of St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction.

“The provider group continues to manage lives under its care with acumen while realizing improved health outcomes of its members and lowering the cost of the care in the region. It’s only natural that a collaboration with Cigna would be realized.”