Frequently Asked Questions

What is an accountable care network (ACN)?

An accountable care network is a group of healthcare professionals and organizations that join together to provide affordable, high-quality healthcare. In an accountable care network, healthcare professionals work as a team to provide an exceptional experience for patients and their families.

This approach places the patient’s needs first, as we provide excellent care and service, every patient, every time.

What is UW Medicine’s goal in establishing an ACN?

UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the public. The UW Medicine Accountable Care Network supports this mission by providing patients with access to the most comprehensive healthcare network in Washington. Our network includes the full range of healthcare services from preventive care and primary care to the most advanced complex and specialty care available. By creating an accountable care network with other leading healthcare organizations throughout the Puget Sound region, we provide you with increased access to outstanding care and enhance our ability to provide affordable, high-quality care.

Which organizations are members in the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network and how were they selected?

The UW Medicine Accountable Care Network includes many of the region’s finest healthcare organizations. All share a commitment to high-quality, affordable care as well as excellent patient service and access to care. The network includes:

  • Island Hospital & Clinics
  • MultiCare Connected Care
    • MultiCare Allenmore Hospital
    • MultiCare Auburn Medical Center
    • MultiCare Capital Medical Center
    • MultiCare Covington Medical Center
    • MultiCare Deaconess Hospital
    • MultiCare Deaconess North Emergency Center
    • MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital
    • MultiCare Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Clinics
    • MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital
    • MultiCare Valley Hospital
    • MultiCare Clinics
    • MultiCare Navos
    • MultiCare Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital
  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
  • Seattle Children's Hospital
    • Children's University Medical Group
    • Seattle Children's Care Network
  • Skagit Regional Health
    • Skagit Valley Hospital
    • Skagit Regional Clinics
    • Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics
  • UW Medicine
    • Harborview Medical Center and Clinics
    • UW Medical Center — Northwest and Clinics
    • UW Medical Center — Montlake and Clinics
    • UW Medicine Primary Care
    • UW Physicians
    • Valley Medical Center and Clinics
    • Airlift Northwest
  • More than 60 additional independent care providers and group practices

What does it mean when we say that the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network offers “the most comprehensive healthcare network in Washington”?

The UW Medicine Accountable Care Network spans more than 46 cities and neighborhoods, and includes:

  • 1,338+ primary care providers
  • 9,160+ specialists
  • 1,745+ ​​clinics
  • 21  hospitals
  • 54​  urgent care clinics​
  • 20 emergency departments

The UW Medicine Accountable Care Network also offers the most comprehensive range of services available – from primary and preventive outpatient care to advanced specialty care in adult and pediatric hospitals. The available services include the most advanced cancer and heart disease care with state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgical procedures and interventional treatments including:

  • Blood and marrow transplantation (stem cell transplants)
  • Solid organ transplantation (liver, kidney, lung, heart, pancreas, intestinal)
  • Specialized care and services for Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma and burns
  • Advanced and highly-specialized cancer care
  • Advanced and highly-specialized heart disease care
  • Minimally-invasive surgical interventional treatments
  • Highest level of neonatal care

What is the pediatric care offered through the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network?

The UW Medicine Accountable Care Network also offers access to some of the best pediatric hospitals and healthcare professionals in the nation, including both Seattle Children’s Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.

What type of cancer care is offered through the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network?

The UW Medicine Accountable Care Network offers the most advanced cancer care available, with comprehensive services that include expert diagnosis, surgical services, medical and radiation oncology, education and support. Several internationally renowned cancer care providers are members of the network, including Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, a world-class cancer treatment and research center that is a clinically integrated part of UW Medicine and is UW Medicine's adult cancer care program. It is one of the top-performing cancer centers in the country. Fred Hutch patients have access to the latest cancer treatments including stem cell and bone marrow transplantation, gene therapy, high-dose chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, minimally invasive surgical techniques and other specialized therapies.

What are other unique aspects of the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network?

Two of UW Medicine’s medical centers (Harborview Medical Center and UW Medical Center) are international leaders in translating research discoveries to improve overall patient outcomes. These medical centers lead innovations in medical and surgical care to provide the best available treatments. In addition, Harborview Medical Center is the only top level (Level 1) adult and pediatric trauma and burn center in the state of Washington.

With the most comprehensive healthcare network in the Puget Sound region, the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network also offers an array of integrated services for women, infants and children including general obstetrics, midwife care, high-risk pregnancy, four neo-natal intensive care units and pediatric care.

Many of the physicians practicing within the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network have been recognized as the best physicians in their fields by Seattle Metropolitan magazine, Seattle magazine and other ratings organizations. ​

Why is an ACN considered "accountable"?

Accountable care networks use specific performance measurements to hold themselves accountable for improving the quality and coordination of care for individuals that they serve. Measurements include patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes. The performance measurements are used to drive continuous improvement of the services.

How does the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network reduce healthcare costs for employers and patients?

Working with individual companies, the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network establishes financial incentives based on the quality of care, rather than the number of services we provide. When individuals are healthier – with better treatment for illnesses including chronic conditions – the cost of care is lower and savings can be shared with employers and employees through reduced insurance premiums and deductibles.

How will the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network “better coordinate” each person’s healthcare?

The UW Medicine Accountable Care Network uses the medical home model, where a patient’s healthcare is managed by a team of professionals working in close coordination. By employing evidence-based preventive measures, care teams identify and treat underlying health problems before they become chronic conditions. And with more integrated data and information-sharing, each member of the team also has greater access to the latest information about every patient. This model of care is especially important for patients with chronic conditions – such as heart disease or diabetes – that often require work with multiple specialists. This model enables integrated, coordinated scheduling and communication with patients, as well.

How is the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network different from the care I’m already receiving through UW Medicine?

Patients who are currently seen at one of the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network facilities will continue to receive the same high-quality care they receive today, regardless of the benefits plan chosen. Individuals who select the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network as an option provided by their employer will benefit from access to a family of healthcare experts throughout the Puget Sound region.  They will also have access to services and benefits such as:

  • A dedicated phone number for scheduling appointments, specific to your company
  • Same or next day appointments for primary care
  • Access to urgent care clinics throughout the Puget Sound region, with services now available in Spokane county, as well
  • A 24-hour nurse care line
  • A primary care clinic network that spans the Puget Sound region, with services now available in Spokane county, as well
  • Access to the most comprehensive healthcare network in Washington, including services ranging from primary care to the most advanced complex and specialty care available
  • Appointments with specialists within three days for urgent needs
  • A concierge service available by phone, email or web to help patients access the health resources they need
  • Proactive support for preventive care and chronic disease management
  • Shared decision-making to help patients choose the right treatment options for their lifestyle goals

How do you safeguard the privacy of my medical records?

Patient privacy is critically important to each member organization in the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network. Your medical records are available only to those healthcare professionals within our network who are directly involved in your care, and those records are protected by stringent privacy regulations.

How can I receive healthcare through the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network?

The UW Medicine Accountable Care Network is available to eligible employees whose companies offer the network as a healthcare option. To find out whether the network is offered by your employer, please contact your human resources department.