Cook County Health (CCH) is accelerating its adoption of alternative payment models that reward care quality, coordination, and efficiency instead of simply the amount of health care services provided. This month, Cook County Health joined a Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in partnership with Wellvana. The health system recently entered into its first value-based care contract in January 2025 and now has a total of five such contracts with health insurance plans. These milestones mark a major step in CCH’s journey in embracing value-based care to improve the health of patients, operate more efficiently, and build fiscal sustainability. As part of the ACO partnership, Cook County Health and Wellvana will work together to enhance patient-centered care and outcomes, and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and costs. Cook County Health will have access to best practices in a multitude of key areas from benchmarking to risk adjustment, as well as care management playbooks, and data analytics and utilization tools. It will also provide the health system with a better perspective into where else attributed patients receive care, helping providers better understand and meet their needs.