A Grand Junction-based health care organization has joined in program to serve Medicare beneficiaries in Western Colorado.

Under the Medicare shared savings program (MSSP), Monument Health will support Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries under a value-based care model.

“This is an exciting day for Monument Health,” said Ashley Thurow, executive director of the clinically integrated network. “By participating in an MSSP, we will be able to successfully unite independent physicians and hospitals in Western Colorado to deliver coordinated, patient-centered care to better serve the Medicare population.”

The Medicare accountable care organization will operate under the Rocky Mountain Accountable Health Network and is expected to initially serve a total of 27,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Colorado, Montana and Wyoming.

Monument Health serves about 75,000 members across Western Colorado and expects 5,000 of them, primarily from Mesa and Delta counties, to participate in the Medicare program.

Lauren Mason, clinical operations manager for Monument Health, said services will ensure Medicare beneficiaries receive the care they need to improve health care outcomes. “New members who are part of this Medicare ACO in Western Colorado can expect to receive a warm call from our care coordinators after the discharge from the emergency room to make sure they have the right medications. They will receive friendly reminders about preventive screenings. And most importantly, we will work with them to ensure they have a relationship with a primary care provider.”