Mountain-Pacific Quality Health Foundation - Alaska

Background

Overview

Mountain-Pacific Quality Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing healthcare quality and value across multiple states and U.S. Pacific Territories. Established in 1973, the organization has expanded its services to include Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. Pacific Territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Headquartered in Helena, Montana, Mountain-Pacific partners with healthcare providers, practitioners, stakeholders, and patients to implement quality improvement initiatives aimed at achieving better care, improved population health, and reduced healthcare costs.

Mission and Vision

• Mission: Partnering within communities to provide solutions for better health.

• Vision: To be a catalyst that improves healthcare outcomes, creating healthier communities wherever we serve.

Industry Significance

As one of 14 Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organizations (QIN-QIOs) in the United States, Mountain-Pacific plays a pivotal role in collaborating with healthcare providers and patients to enhance care quality and efficiency. The organization holds federal and state contracts that enable it to oversee the quality of care for Medicare and Medicaid members, thereby influencing healthcare delivery systems across its service regions.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Enhance healthcare quality and patient safety.

• Promote value-based care and cost-effective healthcare delivery.

• Support healthcare providers in implementing quality improvement initiatives.

• Empower patients to make informed healthcare decisions.

Areas of Specialization

• Quality improvement initiatives.

• Healthcare data analysis and reporting.

• Patient and provider education and training.

• Behavioral health services, including mental health consultations.

• Transportation management for Medicaid members.

Key Technologies Utilized

• Health Information Technology (HIT) systems.

• Electronic Health Records (EHR) integration.

• Data analytics platforms for healthcare data analysis.

• Telehealth services for remote patient engagement.

Primary Markets Targeted

• Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

• Healthcare providers and practitioners.

• Community organizations and stakeholders.

• Indigenous populations, including American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Mountain-Pacific Quality Health Foundation has secured various federal and state contracts to support its quality improvement initiatives. In February 2024, the organization received a $15 million federal contract from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to enhance healthcare quality in Montana and beyond.

Recent Funding Rounds

Specific details regarding recent funding rounds are not publicly disclosed.

Notable Investors

As a nonprofit organization, Mountain-Pacific's funding primarily comes from government contracts and grants rather than traditional investors.

Utilization of Capital

The capital is utilized to:

• Implement quality improvement programs.

• Support healthcare providers with training and resources.

• Enhance data analytics capabilities.

• Expand behavioral health services.

• Manage transportation services for Medicaid members.

Pipeline Development

Key Initiatives

• ReSource Teams: In Montana, Mountain-Pacific has developed ReSource Teams comprising registered nurses, community health workers, volunteers, and behavioral health consultants to deliver comprehensive care coordination to rural populations with complex needs.

• Project Firstline: Under contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mountain-Pacific partners with various healthcare settings in Alaska, Hawaii, and Wyoming to provide frontline healthcare workers with infection prevention training.

• Partnership to Advance Tribal Health (PATH): Collaborating with CMS and the Indian Health Service, Mountain-Pacific works with CMS-certified, IHS-managed hospitals to improve healthcare quality for American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

Target Conditions

• Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic kidney disease.

Anticipated Milestones

• Expansion of ReSource Teams to additional regions.

• Implementation of infection prevention protocols across more healthcare settings.

• Improvement in healthcare quality metrics for tribal health facilities.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

• Development of data analytics platforms tailored for healthcare quality improvement.

Significant Scientific Methods

• Utilization of evidence-based best practices in quality improvement initiatives.

• Implementation of health information technology systems to enhance data collection and reporting.

AI-Driven Capabilities

• Integration of AI algorithms in data analytics to identify trends and inform decision-making processes.

Leadership Team

Executive Leadership

• Jill Alessi - Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Appointed in April 2023, Jill has over 20 years of experience in healthcare operations, including care coordination, utilization management, and chronic condition support. She holds a master's degree in healthcare administration and is a registered nurse.

• Mary Erickson - Chief Operating Officer (COO): With Mountain-Pacific since 2012, Mary oversees Medicare QIN-QIO contracts and directs data collection and reporting systems. She has extensive clinical experience, ranging from staff nurse to COO for a rural health clinic.

• Katelin Conway - Chief Corporate Development Officer: Appointed in 2023, Katelin leads program expansion and development, identifying opportunities for grants and business agreements. She holds dual master's degrees in business administration and public health.

• Dr. Douglas Kuntzweiler - Chief Medical Director: Dr. Kuntzweiler oversees clinical and review activities, promoting quality and transformational change in healthcare settings across Mountain-Pacific's service regions.

• Rhett Jackson - Chief Information Officer (CIO): With 26 years in the healthcare industry, Rhett leads IT operations and strategy, enhancing efficiency and promoting digital evolution and cybersecurity.

• Sean Husmoe - Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Joining in 2024, Sean supervises finance and human resources, guiding financial strategy, budgeting, and risk management. He has 25 years in finance, with nearly two decades as a top financial executive.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

• Market Size and Growth Potential: The healthcare quality improvement sector is substantial, with increasing demand for services that enhance patient safety, care efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

• Industry Trends: A growing emphasis on value-based care, integration of health information technology, and patient-centered approaches are shaping the industry.

Competitor Analysis

• Rocky Mountain Health Plans: Focuses on providing health insurance and quality improvement services in the Rocky Mountain region.

• HealthInsight: Operates in multiple states, offering quality improvement and data analytics services to healthcare providers.

• Comagine Health: Provides quality improvement services across several states, focusing on enhancing healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

• Telligen, Inc.: Partnered to support quality improvement services, education, and training throughout the region.

• Deloitte Development LLC: Collaborated to provide clinical quality monitoring support for the U.S. military and their families.

• Comagine Health: Partnered with CMS to advance the American Indian/Alaska Native Quality Improvement Program.

Operational Insights

• Strategic Considerations: Mountain-Pacific's extensive experience and established partnerships position it as a leader in healthcare quality improvement within its service regions.

• Competitive Advantages: Comprehensive service offerings, including quality improvement initiatives, data analytics, and behavioral health services, distinguish Mountain-Pacific from competitors.