St. Luke’s University Health Network shared $38 million in savings with the federal government as a reward for controlling costs in the Lehigh Valley while providing quality medical care to Medicare patients in 2022.

News of the savings was published in a recent government report.

St. Luke’s was paid 40% of the Medicare savings because it achieved a 95.7% quality score while providing cost-effective care to older and disabled patients.

“St. Luke’s has earned the distinction of being the only health care network in the Lehigh Valley to earn a MSSP payment,” says Christina Lewis, executive director of St. Luke’s Care Network. “The network achieved this remarkable accomplishment by keeping costs lower than expected even as it delivered the highest quality care.”

An accountable care organization comprises physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, other clinicians, as well as hospitals and other healthcare facilities that come together voluntarily to provide high-quality, cost-efficient care to Medicare and Medicaid patients.

St. Luke’s formed its ACO in 2018, which today includes roughly 2,000 physicians and advanced practitioners, both employed by St. Luke’s and independent community offices, serving 45,000 Medicare patients who selected primary care physicians participating in the ACO.

“This recognition and shared-savings reflects our providers’ commitment to collaboration and evidence-based medicine as we strive to provide the right care at the right cost in the right place and at the right time,” Lewis said.