What's New

Our Physicians Featured in New Advertisements

Over the next several weeks, physicians will appear in print and online advertisements to “re-introduce” Danbury and New Milford Hospitals to people in our communities.

In the first part of this new focus on marketing, the physicians will offer specific reasons why they choose to practice at our hospitals, statements that also reflect our patients’ priorities. Later advertisements will, as well, highlight our teams that provide continuity of care to our patients.

The advertisements initiate a new effort to remind our communities of the good work that occurs, every day, in our hospitals. Through the eyes of our physicians, our patients will get a chance to take a fresh look at the quality of care we deliver to them.

CLICK HERE to see the initial advertisments...

WCHN Supports Health Insurance Exchange Enrollment
It’s no surprise that the Affordable Care Act is prompting many questions as the January 1 implementation date for the insurance exchanges nears.

This is, after all, the first comprehensive reform of the health care system since Medicare and Medicaid were introduced in 1965. The law, among other provisions, expands Medicaid eligibility, establishes Health Insurance Exchanges, removes certain barriers to obtaining coverage such as pre-existing conditions and lifetime limits, and introduces new taxes and penalties to finance the program. It has, as well, triggered new rules and regulations involving many government ages. The fact is this is a seismic change to how health care is delivered and paid for in this country. So where does WCHN fit in?

News from the WCHN PHO

WCHN Physician Hospital Organization Announces Additional Health Plan Contract
Bob Langley, Executive Director of the WCHN Physician Hospital Organization (PHO) has announced the signing of its third health plan agreement with HealthyCT, HealthyCT is Connecticut’s new non-profit, member-run health insurance company known as a Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP). Founded by physicians and started with a federal loan in 2012. HealthyCT’s mission is to provide Connecticut residents with comprehensive health insurance and easy access to quality healthcare. The agreement provides HealthyCT members access to Danbury Hospital and New Milford Hospital, as well as hundreds of affiliated physicians through the WCHN Physician Hospital Organization (WCHN PHO) and the Western Connecticut Medical Group. (To read the full announcement, http://interactive.danburyhospital.org/Docline/documents/HCTWesternCT.pdf) The PHO is currently in contract discussions with other health plans and expects to announce additional agreements soon.

WCHN PHO’s Second Annual Meeting of Members
WCHN PHO’s Second Annual Meeting of Members is being held at the Creasy Auditorium at Danbury Hospital on Monday, December 9, 2013, at 6:00 PM. John Murphy, MD, the President and CEO of WCHN will serve as the keynote speaker to provide an overview of the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange and provide an update on WCHN’s affiliation with Norwalk Hospital.

In addition, the PHO is offering the following two programs:

An educational seminar for community practices on the Final 2013 HIPAA/HITECH Regulations – at the WCHN Offices in the Duracell Building in Bethel - on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 from 8:30 to 11 AM.
An orientation program for PHO physician practices on our new contract with HealthyCT - at the WCHN Offices in the Duracell Building in Bethel - on Wednesday, November 13th from 11:30 AM to 2 PM

ICD-10 Education Available to ALL practices
The ICD-10 Education Workstream, led by Kathy Petruzzelli, has developed the strategies to educate the various learning groups, such as coders and documenters, affected by the transition to ICD-10 coding (effective October 1, 2014). The strategies and the timeline developed by the Education Workstream will help ensure that the job functions across the Network that are impacted by ICD-10 are prepared in time for the changeover. Therefore, individual practices and departments within Western Connecticut Health Network DO NOT NEED to research, purchase or develop their own training or education modules. Some physician specialties have already begun receiving documentation improvement education for hospital services. Documentation specificity that paints the patient’s clinical picture will be key to accurate ICD-10 coding. Click here http://interactive.danburyhospital.org/vitalsigns/053113/ICD10ED.pdf for overview of the timeline for ICD-10 training and education, a good deal of which is already underway. Please review this chart to better understand the general timeframes for the various learning groups. If you have any questions or concerns about education/training for employees in your practice, please contact the ICD-10 Team at ICD-10@wchn.org