Aetna Better Health® of Illinois Invests $20.4 Million in Value-Based Care to Improve Health Outcomes in Underserved Communities
Aetna Better Health® of Illinois, a CVS Health® company (NYSE: CVS), has distributed $20.4 million in value-based care incentive payments to several community health centers across Illinois. This investment supports the delivery of high-quality care in underserved areas by helping providers enhance services and modernize infrastructure.
“Collaborative, value-based provider relationships have empowered our members to access timely, appropriate care—improving health outcomes and supporting a more sustainable healthcare system,” said Rushil Desai, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Illinois. “These efforts have not only improved quality metrics but also reduced avoidable hospitalizations. We are committed to growing a provider network focused on patient-centered, high-quality care.”
Currently, 56% of Aetna Better Health of Illinois members are served by providers engaged in value-based care agreements, with 23% participating in risk-based models. These efforts have led to measurable improvements in 2024, including:
- 8.2% fewer inpatient admissions
- 14.9% reduction in inpatient readmissions
- 4.8% fewer emergency room visits per 1,000 members
These results demonstrate how accessible and proactive primary care can reduce costly, unnecessary hospital use and improve member well-being.
To support provider success, Aetna Better Health of Illinois offers a tailored support model based on provider type, location, and performance. This includes clinical and operational analytics, workflow training, case management, and strategic solutions to reduce administrative burdens. Support may also include rural health outreach, staff education, and data tools to identify and engage high-risk patients.
Health centers receiving incentive payments include:
- Access Community Health Network
- Apogee Health Partners
- Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness
- Community Health Care, Inc
- Crusader Community Health
- Family Christian Health
- Family Medicine Specialists
- Illinois Health Practice Alliance
- Lawndale Family Christian
- Memorial Health Partners
- UnityPoint Health
- PCC Community Wellness
- Primary Care Joliet
- Progress Health
- Swedish Covenant
- VNA Health Care
These centers plan to use the funds to extend clinic hours, enhance operational workflows, and adopt advanced population health and analytics tools.
Raul Garza, President and CEO of Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness, emphasized the value of integrated care: “Our care model has long embedded behavioral health into primary care. This integration is foundational to value-based care, and our collaboration with Aetna Better Health of Illinois affirms the impact of this approach.”
Abby Boyer, Vice President of Population Health Strategy at Access Community Health Network, added, “The value-based care agreement promotes team-based, interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring comprehensive, holistic patient care.”
Karen Janousek, Vice President and Chief Population Health Growth Officer of Sinai Chicago, Progress Health’s affiliate, noted, “These funds allow us to address both medical needs and social determinants of health, enabling truly comprehensive care for our patients.”
Aetna Better Health of Illinois serves more than 360,000 Medicaid members across 102 counties. The organization continues to promote value-based strategies that improve utilization, health outcomes, and member satisfaction.
For more information, visit Aetna Better Health of Illinois’ official website.
About Aetna Medicaid
Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health company, has over 30 years of experience managing the care of under-resourced populations, using innovative approaches and a local presence in each market to achieve both successful health care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names. Together, these plans serve members in 15 states, including Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information, see www.aetnabetterhealth.com.
About CVS Health
CVS Health® is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer, wherever they are. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had more than 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 90 million plan members, and a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than 800,000 patients per year. The Company also serves an estimated more than 36 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including highly rated Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.
