Banner Health and The CORE Institute are expanding their joint venture, which aims to improve the quality of musculoskeletal care for Arizonans, while adding an Orthopedic High Value Network for Banner Health Network patients.

This new network available to Banner Health Network patients includes facilities, IT solutions and ancillary programs for patients. This program is structured as a Physician Hospital Organization and will apply to three payer products in the beginning.

The facilities that contract with the PHO will also be engaged in the proven orthopedic service line management program that Banner Health created in partnership with The CORE Institute, which has been successful in meeting quality and organizational objectives on five of Banner Health’s campuses in Arizona. The creation of the HVN will also drive expansion of this service line program to four more Banner campuses throughout the Valley and Casa Grande.

“Because of the existing relationship with The CORE Institute and our Banner facilities, this growth in our relationship to include Banner Health Network was a natural opportunity,” said Carri Kelly, interim senior director of Network Management, Banner Health Network. “The PHO is highly aligned with Banner Health Network initiatives, and will demonstrate a commitment to the clinical programs that will allow us to reach the Triple Aim, which is to improve quality outcomes, improve the patient experience and control costs.”

Working together, The CORE Institute and Banner Health have experienced great success in their orthopedic co-management partnership over the last five years. Banner Health launched its first joint venture, the Banner CORE Center for Orthopedics, at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City West in 2011.

Objective improvements in outcomes, value, and efficiencies led to expansion of the program at additional sites. The Banner CORE Center for Orthopedics has since grown to also include Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa and Banner Estrella Medical Center in West Phoenix, and now Banner Boswell Medical Center, Banner Baywood Medical Center, Banner Ironwood Medical Center and Banner Casa Grande Medical Center.