The Employers’ Health Coalition of Arkansas is a direct purchasing coalition serving employers in western Arkansas. EHCARK’s primary goal is to aid its members in purchasing quality healthcare services. Through the National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH), EHCARK was one of the four original Bridges to Excellence demonstration sites. NBCH is a Bridges to Excellence partner organization that is equally committed to improving healthcare quality through physician incentives in the local community. Coalitions like EHCARK are an integral part of implementing BTE programs because of their valuable relationships with the local health community, including both payers and providers.
EHCARK has implemented all three BTE programs, POL, DCL and CCL, to improve the quality of care in the Fort Smith area. The coalition is currently engaged in recruiting additional employers and physicians to participate in the programs to maximize the market impact.
Number of Recognized Physicians: 8
Rewards Paid to Date: $0
BTE Programs Implemented: Physician Office Link, Diabetes Care Link, Cardiac Care Link
Geographic Scope of Market: Fort Smith area
Number of Covered Lives in Market: 20,000
Participating Employers: Baldor, Chem-Fab, City of Hot Springs, City of Fort Smith, Cloyes Gear, OK
Industries, Riverside, Triumph Airborne, Whirlpool, WW&L, KOPCO/Butler & Cook/BKB
Licensed Health Plan Administrators: None
Performance Assessment Organizations and Measures: National Committee for Quality Assurance
(NCQA)
Reward Amounts:
| Level | POL | DCL | CCL |
| Basic | $15 | $80 | $80 |
| Intermediate | $30 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Advanced | $50 | Not Applicable | $160 |
Next Rewards Cycle: 2nd Quarter 2007
BTE RDE Costs: More information coming soon
Regional Contacts:
| Name | Organization | Contact Information | Contact Type |
| Caryol Hendricks | Employer’s Health Coalition of Arkansas | [email protected] 479-201-8510 |
General BTE information and participation in AR |
National Business Coalition on Health and Local Coalitions Launch Bridges to Excellence Initiative