Northern Physicians Organization www.nmhn.net, a new partnership of primary care physicians and specialists, has launched a coordinated care model called the Northern Michigan Health Network. This is a physician-led Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in which health care providers work closely together to deliver the right care to patients at the right time while avoiding duplication of services. The idea is that a patient's overall health would improve, while keeping overall health care costs down.

"We are looking at the entire care of patients in our area," says Peter Sneed, M.D., president of the new network. The cooperative model focuses on wellness, preventative care, management of chronic conditions and health care that puts the patient and primary physician in charge.

The network is not part of any health insurance company and is not a HMO (health maintenance organization). It is part of the Affordable Care Act's Medicare Shared Savings Program and also serves non-Medicare patients as well.