Accountable Care

In the News

Houston Chronicle: "Kelsey-Seybold gains first recognition in new care model"

On December 13, 2012, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic became the first healthcare organization in the nation to receive national accreditation as an Accountable Care Organization, an emerging model intended to coordinate care and reduce costs.

Houston Business Journal:"Kelsey-Seybold Clinic becomes first accountable care organization in country"

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic is the first in the nation to be recognized as an accountable care organization, a designation indicating it's proven to deliver coordinated, affordable, quality care.

Houston Chronicle: Doctors Teaming Up to Treat Patients

Kelsey-Seybold, founded in Houston in 1949, is one of the nation's oldest accountable care organizations, or ACOs, although it wasn't called that when it was created. Read the story.

Only Certainty from Health Care Ruling is Change

One out of every four Texans is uninsured, the highest rate in the country. Many would gain coverage under the reform law approved two years ago, along with subsidies to help pay for it. Read the story.

New York Times: “Trying Out New Ways to Deliver Health Care”

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Board Chairman and Managing Director Spencer Berthelsen, M.D. discusses the Accountable Care model as a proven solution to our country’s rising healthcare costs. Read the story.

Choosing the Right Health-Care Plan

The Wall Street Journal talks about the upcoming open enrollment season and how the Cigna KelseyCare plan helped the City of Houston control costs. Read the story.

Time Moneyland: Patients Prefer HMOs (And Other Healthcare Suprises)

When it comes to patient satisfaction, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) received higher marks than Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) even though HMOs require that patients remain “in network. Read the story.

New York Times: Disruptive Innovation, Applied to Health Care

The country needs to innovate its way toward a new health care business model - one that reduces costs yet improves both quality and accessibility. Read the article.

Press Release: Sixteen Kelsey-Seybold Locations Earn National Recognition for Patient-Centered Care

Sixteen multi-specialty care centers at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic have been named Patient-Centered Medical Homes by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Read the story.

Houston Business Journal: Dr. Spencer Berthelsen Discusses Electronic Medical Records Best Practices

Dr. Spencer Berthelsen, Chairman and Managing of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, was interviewed recently by Houston Business Journal Technology and Life Sciences reporter Christine Hall for the story titled: “A booster shot for electronic health records.” Dr. Berthelsen shared Kelsey-Seybold’s story of EMR implementation and physician transition, as well as the challenges and opportunities this new technology presented to Kelsey-Seybold Clinic and our patients. He also shared his thoughts on how this technology is an integral part of the Accountable Care Organization. Read the story.

NY Times: Employers Push Costs for Health on Workers

As healthcare costs continue their relentless climb, companies are increasingly passing on higher premium costs to workers. Read the story.

NY Times: Health care Wastefulness is Detailed in Studies

In a snapshot of systemic waste, researchers have calculated that more than half of the 354 million doctor visits made each year for acute medical care, like for fevers, stomachaches and coughs, are not with a patient’s primary physician, and that more than a quarter take place in hospital emergency rooms. Read the story.

KUHF-FM: Bauer Business Focus: Dr. Spencer Berthelsen

The accountable care organization health care model is being advocated as a solution to current health care issues in the United States. Dr. Spencer Berthelsen, Chairman and Managing Director of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, was interviewed about the subject by NPR on-air radio personality Ed Mayberry on KUHF-FM (88.7). Read the story.

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Here are a few ways to ensure your microbiome is working for you and not against you:

• Eating a diverse diet: A diet rich in fiber, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables supports a diverse microbiome. These foods provide nourishment for a wide range of beneficial microorganisms. In addition, try incorporating more probiotics and fermented foods into your diet. Probiotics and fermented foods include yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi, which can introduce beneficial bacteria into your gut. Prebiotics, like garlic, onions, bananas, and asparagus, are good options because they contain non-digestible fibers that nourish beneficial bacteria.
• Limiting or avoiding certain foods: On the flip side, there are certain foods you should limit or avoid, including those high in sugar and fat, as well as processed foods. Consider limiting the intake of artificial sweeteners, too. They can increase your blood sugar by stimulating the growth of unhealthy bacteria in your gut. Too much alcohol can also impact your microbiome, preventing certain beneficial microorganisms from thriving.
• Managing stress and prioritizing sleep: Not surprisingly, chronic tension can negatively impact our gut health. Keeping your stress in check by engaging in activities like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help reduce stress’s effect on your gut. Prioritizing quality sleep also supports your gut health as well as your overall health and well-being.
• Limiting antibiotics: While taking antibiotics is temporarily beneficial when sick, too many can disrupt the delicate balance of your microbiome. They not only wipe out the harmful bacteria but the good as well.

Researchers have only begun to touch the surface of the intricate relationship between our bodies and the microorganisms within us. Still, they do know that the microbiome not only aids in our digestion but also impacts health and well-being in so many other ways. As we journey toward a more holistic approach to understanding our health, taking good care of our microbiome should be a top priority. So, the next time you eat, remember you are not just satisfying your hunger but also nourishing the trillions of microscopic allies that contribute to your vitality and longevity.