Illinois group selected for Medicare program
CHICAGO — An Illinois organization has received funding to test new ways of improving care for patients with Medicare under the federal health care overhaul.
CJE SeniorLife, formerly the Council for Jewish Elderly, is one of seven U.S. groups selected to form partnerships to avoid problems after patients leave the hospital.
The Chicago organization joins with Northwestern Memorial, St. Joseph Hospital and St. Francis Hospital. It's also working closely with Area Agencies on Aging in Chicago and suburbs, local Care Coordination Units and Illinois' Quality Improvement Organization.
CJE SeniorLife is entering into a two-year agreement with the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, which will run the program. The selection comes in the first round of awards for the Community-Based Care Transitions Program, created by the nation's year-old health care law.