The Meritage Medical Network is an individual practice association (IPA) consisting of more than 700 private practice physicians that contracts with seven HMOs and with the Medicare Shared Savings Program. In all, Meritage provides quality health care for roughly half a million patients throughout three North Bay counties ― Marin, Sonoma, and Napa. Additionally, Meritage works with eight hospitals within their service area, along with numerous urgent care centers and several skilled nursing facilities, which allows them to provide the full continuum of care for their patients.
A Brief History of Meritage Medical Network
Marin IPA was originally founded in 1981 as an HMO partnering with a lone health plan. Throughout the 1990s, Marin IPA was able to contract with several additional health plans, and in 2004 it officially expanded into Sonoma Valley. The following year, Marin IPA created Prima Medical Group to recruit and retain primary care physicians throughout Marin County. In 2007, Marin IPA continued their expansion into Petaluma and officially changed their name to Marin-Sonoma IPA. And in 2013, Marin-Sonoma IPA further expanded into Napa County and finally settled on the name Meritage Medical Network.
Today, as the largest independent physician-run medical network in the North Bay, Meritage is regularly on the receiving end of distinguished awards and recognitions.
Recent Awards and Recognitions
In September of 2016, Meritage Medical Network was honored with an “Excellence in Healthcare Award” by the Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA) for its achievements in providing patients with high-quality care while managing costs. This marked the third consecutive year that Meritage received the award, which recognizes success in IHA’s “Value-Based Pay for Performance” program, which is a public reporting initiative designed to improve overall performance. In fact, in earning the award yet again, Meritage Medical Network was in the top 17% of performers among California physician organizations.
In 2015, Meritage’s ACO program was honored with the Case in Point Platinum Award by Dorland Health for Meritage’s Case Management in Managed Care Programs for Transitions of Care. Dorland is a national leader in educational services for healthcare practitioners, and Case in Point Platinum Awards are reserved for those organizations that exhibit sustained success across continuum of care efforts and coordination.
With the Affordable Care Act’s increased focus on improved patient transitions and decreased readmissions, case management and care coordination have never been more important, and accountability is at a premium. Therefore, Meritage ACO has developed its own transitional model with four goals in mind:
- Reduce preventable readmissions among populations with the highest risk
- Improve patient safety via medication reconciliation
- Increase patient satisfaction by improving communication and coordination between providers and care settings
- Ensure that patient end-of-life preferences are taken into account
Meritage ACO has consistently achieved the goals listed by implementing evidence-based initiatives, a patient-centric and team-based mobile care communications network, and skilled nurse care managers.
Wellness Classes
In addition to being a world-class individual practice association located right here in the North Bay, Meritage Medical Network also offers numerous health and wellness classes to help prevent and treat a variety of conditions as well as educate people. Obesity and diabetes prevention, nutrition counseling, prenatal exercise, strength and fitness, balance and fall prevention, and other topics are covered by the classes Meritage offers.
Meritage Medical Network Is Now a Part of Canopy Health!
Canopy Health is the Bay Area’s newest healthcare network, consisting of nearly 5,000 physicians, numerous renowned hospitals, and dozens of care centers that are spread throughout eight counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano, and Sonoma. And now, Meritage Medical Network is a proud and vital member of the Canopy Health alliance.
