IBM + Acuity.health Strategic Partnership - Technical Deep Dive
1/15

IBM + Acuity.health Partnership

IBM Consulting
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Acuity.health

Value-Based Care Technology & Implementation Services

Objective: Position IBM as the premier implementation partner for Acuity's AI-native value-based care platform, targeting Tennessee's $4.2B healthcare market

2/15

Value-Based Care Market Fundamentals

VBC Payment Model Evolution

Payment Model Risk Level Technology Requirements IBM Service Opportunity
Fee-for-Service None Basic EHR, billing systems $50K - Implementation
Pay-for-Performance Low Quality reporting, basic analytics $150K - Analytics setup
Shared Savings (ACO) Medium Population health, care management $500K - Care model redesign
Capitation/Global Budget High Predictive analytics, real-time monitoring $1M+ - Full transformation
64%

Organizations expecting increased VBC revenue in 2025

$87B

Medicare Advantage market size (growing 8% annually)

85%

Healthcare executives cite technology as VBC success barrier

3/15

Acuity Platform: Technical Architecture

Core Technology Stack

Data Ingestion
TEFCA/QHIN
HL7 FHIR
CommonWell
EHR APIs
AI Processing
CHI Risk Engine
NLP/NLU
Ambient Listening
ML Models
Clinical Decision
Mission Control
Risk Alerts
Care Gaps
Workflows
Outcome Tracking
Quality Metrics
Cost Analytics
Contract Performance
ROI Reporting

Continuous Health Index (CHI)

  • Technology: Transformer-based neural networks
  • Data Sources: 140+ elements (vitals, labs, medications, social determinants)
  • Prediction Window: 30-day adverse event forecasting
  • Architecture: Multi-agent "mixture of experts" system
  • Output: Real-time risk scores (0-100 scale)

Ambient Clinical Documentation

  • Technology: Voice recognition + NLP processing
  • Capabilities: SOAP note generation, OASIS autofill
  • Integration: Real-time EHR population
  • Accuracy: 95%+ clinical documentation accuracy
  • Time Savings: 30-40% reduction in documentation time
4/15

Acuity's Role in Value-Based Care Operations

VBC Success Framework

VBC Requirement Traditional Approach Acuity Solution Measurable Outcome
Risk Stratification Annual HCC coding, claims analysis Real-time CHI scoring, continuous monitoring 30-day prediction accuracy, early intervention
Care Coordination Manual case management, phone calls Mission Control dashboard, automated alerts Reduced readmissions, improved HEDIS scores
Quality Reporting Retrospective data mining, manual abstraction Ambient documentation, automated capture Improved star ratings, reduced admin burden
Cost Management Claims review, utilization management Predictive analytics, preventive interventions Lower total cost of care, avoided admissions
15-25%

Reduction in preventable readmissions

$500K-1M

Annual savings per health system

30-40%

Decrease in documentation time

5/15

IBM Service Wrapper Strategy

Pre-Implementation Services

  • VBC Readiness Assessment: Evaluate current state, identify gaps ($75K-150K)
  • Data Architecture Review: EHR integration planning, FHIR readiness ($50K-100K)
  • Workflow Analysis: Clinical process mapping, optimization opportunities ($100K-200K)
  • Change Management Planning: Stakeholder analysis, training curriculum ($75K-125K)

Implementation Services

  • Technical Integration: EHR connectivity, API development ($200K-400K)
  • Model Validation: CHI calibration, local population tuning ($150K-300K)
  • Workflow Configuration: Mission Control setup, alert thresholds ($100K-200K)
  • User Training: Clinical staff onboarding, super-user certification ($75K-150K)

Post-Implementation Services

  • Performance Optimization: Continuous model improvement ($100K-200K annually)
  • Outcome Measurement: ROI tracking, contract performance ($75K-150K annually)
  • Advanced Analytics: Custom reporting, predictive modeling ($150K-300K annually)
  • Expansion Services: Multi-site rollout, additional use cases ($200K-500K)
6/15

Tennessee Market: Technical Implementation Requirements

Major Tennessee Health Systems - Technology Stack

Organization EHR System VBC Maturity Integration Complexity Est. Implementation Value
HCA Healthcare Epic (180+ facilities) Advanced - Multiple ACO contracts High - Enterprise-wide deployment $2M-4M
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Epic + research systems Advanced - Academic medical center Medium - Single health system $1M-2M
Erlanger Health System Epic Medium - Regional health system Medium - Multi-facility $750K-1.5M
BlueCross BlueShield TN Multiple (payer systems) Advanced - MA and Medicaid High - Multi-provider network $1.5M-3M
15-20

Major health systems in Tennessee requiring VBC solutions

$8M-15M

Total addressable market for IBM services

18-24 months

Typical enterprise implementation timeline

7/15

CHI Risk Engine: Technical Specifications

Multi-Agent Architecture

Vital Signs Agent
BP, HR, Temp, O2Sat
Trend analysis
Threshold monitoring
Laboratory Agent
CBC, CMP, HbA1c
Abnormal value detection
Multi-parameter correlation
Medication Agent
Adherence monitoring
Drug interactions
Dosage optimization
Social Determinants
Housing, transportation
Social isolation
Economic factors

Model Performance Metrics

  • Sensitivity: 87% (correctly identifies high-risk patients)
  • Specificity: 92% (correctly identifies low-risk patients)
  • Positive Predictive Value: 78% (high-risk prediction accuracy)
  • C-statistic: 0.89 (excellent discriminative ability)
  • Update Frequency: Real-time with each new data point

IBM Validation Services

  • Historical Data Analysis: Retrospective validation using client data
  • Population Calibration: Adjust model for local patient demographics
  • Performance Monitoring: Ongoing accuracy assessment and retraining
  • Clinical Validation: Physician review of risk predictions
  • Regulatory Compliance: FDA guidance, clinical decision support standards
8/15

Ambient Documentation: Implementation Architecture

Processing Pipeline

Audio Capture
Multi-directional microphones
Noise cancellation
HIPAA-compliant recording
Speech Recognition
Medical vocabulary training
Accent adaptation
Real-time transcription
NLP Processing
Clinical entity extraction
Sentiment analysis
Context understanding
Documentation Generation
SOAP note formatting
OASIS autofill
EHR integration

OASIS Autofill Capabilities

  • Functional Status: ADL assessment, mobility scoring
  • Medication Review: Drug list validation, adherence assessment
  • Safety Evaluation: Fall risk, home hazard identification
  • Diagnosis Capture: Primary/secondary diagnosis documentation
  • Care Planning: Goal setting, intervention planning

IBM Implementation Services

  • Hardware Setup: Microphone installation, network configuration
  • Workflow Integration: EHR embedding, user interface customization
  • Training & Adoption: Clinical staff training, change management
  • Quality Assurance: Documentation accuracy monitoring
  • Continuous Improvement: Model refinement, user feedback integration
9/15

Mission Control: Dashboard Configuration & Analytics

Role-Based Dashboard Views

User Role Primary KPIs Alert Types Action Items
Home Health Nurse Patient CHI scores, visit compliance High-risk patient alerts, medication adherence Schedule extra visits, telehealth check-ins
Care Manager Panel risk distribution, care gaps Rising risk trends, missed appointments Patient outreach, care plan updates
Clinical Director Readmission rates, quality metrics Performance threshold breaches Resource allocation, staff assignments
CFO/Administrator Cost per episode, contract performance Budget variance, contract risk Financial planning, contract negotiations
20+

Configurable KPIs and metrics

5-10 min

Daily time savings per clinician

85%

Reduction in manual reporting tasks

10/15

Interoperability Architecture

Data Source Integration

Data Source Integration Method Data Types Update Frequency
Epic EHR SMART on FHIR, bulk FHIR Clinical notes, lab results, medications Real-time via webhooks
Cerner EHR HL7 FHIR R4, CDS Hooks Patient demographics, vitals, orders Batch updates every 15 minutes
CommonWell HIE TEFCA/QHIN protocols ADT feeds, care summaries Event-driven (real-time)
Remote Monitoring Device APIs, Bluetooth/WiFi Vitals, weight, glucose, activity Continuous streaming
Payer Systems X12 EDI, custom APIs Claims, authorizations, coverage Daily batch processing

Technical Standards Compliance

  • FHIR R4: Full USCDI v3 compliance
  • CDS Hooks: Real-time clinical decision support
  • SMART on FHIR: EHR-embedded applications
  • TEFCA: Nationwide interoperability framework
  • OAuth 2.0: Secure API authentication

IBM Integration Services

  • Data Mapping: Source system to FHIR transformation
  • API Development: Custom connectors for legacy systems
  • Security Implementation: HIPAA compliance, encryption
  • Testing & Validation: Integration testing, performance optimization
  • Monitoring: 24/7 data flow monitoring and alerting
11/15

ROI Model & Financial Analysis

Cost-Benefit Analysis (3-Year Projection)

Cost Component Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total
Acuity Platform License $200K $220K $240K $660K
IBM Implementation Services $500K $200K $150K $850K
Ongoing Support & Optimization $100K $150K $200K $450K
Total Investment $800K $570K $590K $1.96M

Benefit Component Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total
Avoided Readmissions (20% reduction) $400K $600K $800K $1.8M
Documentation Efficiency (35% time savings) $300K $350K $400K $1.05M
Quality Bonuses (Star Rating improvement) $150K $300K $450K $900K
Care Management Efficiency $200K $250K $300K $750K
Total Benefits $1.05M $1.5M $1.95M $4.5M
2.3:1

ROI Ratio (3-year cumulative)

14 months

Break-even point

$2.54M

Net present value (3-year)

12/15

IBM Implementation Methodology

Phased Implementation Approach

Phase Duration Key Activities Deliverables Success Criteria
Phase 1: Assessment 4-6 weeks Current state analysis, gap identification Readiness assessment, implementation plan Signed implementation roadmap
Phase 2: Foundation 8-12 weeks Data integration, infrastructure setup Technical architecture, data flows Successful test data transmission
Phase 3: Core Deployment 12-16 weeks CHI implementation, dashboard configuration Live CHI scores, Mission Control access Clinical validation of risk predictions
Phase 4: Advanced Features 8-12 weeks Ambient documentation, workflow optimization OASIS autofill, clinical decision support 30% reduction in documentation time
Phase 5: Optimization Ongoing Performance monitoring, continuous improvement ROI reports, optimization recommendations Sustained performance improvements

Change Management Framework

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Executive sponsors, clinical champions
  • Communication Plan: Regular updates, success stories, feedback loops
  • Training Program: Role-based training, competency assessments
  • Support Structure: Help desk, super-users, ongoing coaching

Risk Mitigation Strategies

  • Technical Risks: Parallel testing, rollback procedures
  • Clinical Risks: Physician oversight, validation protocols
  • Operational Risks: Phased rollout, contingency planning
  • Financial Risks: Performance guarantees, milestone-based payments
13/15

Competitive Positioning Analysis

Market Comparison Matrix

Capability Acuity + IBM Innovaccer Health Catalyst Arcadia
Real-time Risk Prediction ✓ CHI with 30-day prediction ✗ Retrospective only ✗ Batch processing ✗ Static risk scores
Ambient Documentation ✓ Voice + NLP + OASIS ✗ Not available ✗ Not available ✗ Not available
Interoperability ✓ TEFCA/QHIN native △ Custom integrations △ ETL required △ Limited HIE connectivity
Implementation Support ✓ Full IBM consulting △ Partner network △ Limited services △ Third-party required
Clinical Workflow Integration ✓ Point-of-care decision support ✗ Separate analytics platform ✗ Analyst-focused tools ✗ Population health only

Unique Value Proposition

Acuity + IBM delivers the only integrated solution that combines real-time predictive analytics, ambient clinical documentation, and comprehensive implementation services specifically designed for value-based care success.

14/15

Partnership Business Model

Revenue Sharing Structure

Client Size Acuity License IBM Services Total Deal Value Revenue Split
Small Health System (1-3 facilities) $100K-200K $300K-500K $400K-700K 30% Acuity / 70% IBM
Medium Health System (4-10 facilities) $300K-600K $800K-1.5M $1.1M-2.1M 35% Acuity / 65% IBM
Large Health System (10+ facilities) $600K-1.5M $1.5M-4M $2.1M-5.5M 40% Acuity / 60% IBM
Payer/ACO Networks $500K-2M $1M-3M $1.5M-5M 45% Acuity / 55% IBM

Go-to-Market Strategy

  • Joint Sales Team: IBM account executives + Acuity technical specialists
  • Marketing Collaboration: Co-branded content, joint conference presence
  • Territory Management: IBM leads Tennessee market development
  • Pipeline Management: Shared CRM, joint forecasting

Success Metrics

  • 2025 Target: 5-8 major implementations in Tennessee
  • Revenue Goal: $3M-6M combined partnership revenue
  • Market Share: 15-20% of Tennessee VBC technology market
  • Client Satisfaction: 90%+ Net Promoter Score
15/15

Next Steps & Implementation Plan

90-Day Partnership Launch Plan

Week Milestone Key Activities Deliverables
Weeks 1-2 Partnership Agreement Legal framework, revenue sharing terms Signed partnership agreement
Weeks 3-4 Team Formation Joint team structure, roles & responsibilities Integrated project team
Weeks 5-8 Market Analysis Tennessee prospect identification, prioritization Target client list, engagement strategy
Weeks 9-12 Pilot Development Proof of concept design, client selection Pilot program proposal, technical specifications

Immediate Actions Required

  • Executive Sponsorship: Assign IBM healthcare practice leader
  • Legal Review: Partnership agreement template development
  • Technical Assessment: Acuity platform technical review
  • Market Research: Tennessee healthcare landscape analysis

Success Factors

  • Joint Commitment: Dedicated resources from both organizations
  • Clear Communication: Regular partnership reviews, shared metrics
  • Client Focus: Outcome-driven implementation approach
  • Continuous Improvement: Iterative refinement based on market feedback

Partnership Value Proposition

IBM + Acuity.health represents the most comprehensive value-based care solution available in the market today, combining cutting-edge AI technology with proven implementation expertise to deliver measurable outcomes for Tennessee healthcare organizations.