Strategic addition improves access to specialized providers and diagnostics for heart care
Please pardon Heart and Vascular Institute of Wisconsin if they are a bit boisterous.
When it comes to treating heart and circulatory diseases — known commonly as silent killers — a little noise can go a long way. Especially when it comes to creating convenient and affordable access to the specialists and technology available to patients at HVI of Wisconsin.
“From your neck to your toes, we have someone who specializes in that,” said Larry Sobal, CEO of HVI of Wisconsin. “We have the premier practice in Wisconsin. We have an array of board-certified physicians who are specialists in what they do. We have specialized staff and we have invested in the latest technology and staffing to provide high-quality care that’s affordable and accessible.”
Employers participating in the NOVO Health Direct Medical Market Bundled Payment Program can access HVI of Wisconsin as of Jan. 1 depending on the design of their benefits plan.
“Heart & Vascular institute believes in our mission of providing greater access and affordability when it comes to health care,” Curt Kubiak, CEO of NOVO Health, said. “They will be a great partner in building a new model for health care that is sustainable and socially responsible.”
For the team at HVIW, there is no time like the present. They note that many people don’t even know the tell-tale signs of heart disease and could be much closer to a major — and certainly expensive — episode of care. The first bundles offered through NOVO’s Bundled Payment Program are for diagnostics, including EKG’s and treadmill stress tests.
“If we can catch the signs early, we can keep people out of the ER and out of the cath lab,” Sobal said. “A $5 a month statin drug and lifestyle changes are better alternatives.”
Established more than 50 years ago, HVIW will expand the cardiology services available from the NOVO provider panel.
The providers at HVIW returned to private practice in early 2019 and recently opened a new facility in Appleton where they offer diagnostic, lab and most of the other cardiac services provided by the practice. They have invested heavily in the newest diagnostic tools as well as specialized staff to operate and read the results, producing better outcomes.
HVIW also has several clinic locations around the region and works with employers to provide diagnostics and treatments at on-site clinic locations.
“Because of our practice size and our high volume, we have experienced physicians who are the experts. This isn’t one procedure they do once in a while,” Sobal said. “All we do is hearts.”
New Providers
Aspen Orthopedic Specialists and Bluemound Surgery Center, Ltd. began participating in NOVO’s Bundled Payment Program beginning Jan. 1.
These providers add convenient access for employer partners in the greater Milwaukee area and southeast Wisconsin. Availability is dependent on company plan design and networks.
Aspen Orthopedic Specialists offers advanced treatment options for orthopedic injuries and conditions, including the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders of spine, muscles, joints, bones, peripheral nerves, ligaments and tendons.
The Bluemound Cosmetic Surgery Center is an advanced cosmetic surgery center located in Waukesha, Wis. It is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), and was designed and built according to rigorous national requirements.
New Bundles
NOVO Health’s bundled payment program now covers more than 100 procedures. The bundled payment program provides a single price-point for an episode of care covering both the provider and facility charges. A single bill is issued for the entire episode of care.
New bundles available to patients for episodes of care beginning Jan. 1:
- Carotid Artery Ultrasound
- Echocardiogram
- EKG
- Event Monitor
- Holter Monitor
- Mobile Cardiac Telemetry Monitoring
- Treadmill (Stress Test)
