Fairview Partners Gives Back to the Communities It Serves

Posted on January 30, 2025 by LeadingAge Minnesota

Thirty years ago, the concept of Fairview Partners began when Fairview Health Services was awarded a prestigious Robert Wood Johnson foundation grant.

The purpose of the grant was to demonstrate improved quality and delivery of health services provided to chronically ill nursing home residents.

Improving Quality of Care

The intention was to create a system of care that would improve the quality of on-site primary care, reduce unnecessary hospital utilization, and lower the overall total cost of care for its members served.

The first member enrolled in 1996, and the program has been a successful, self-supporting program ever since. Today the program provides care coordination to approximately 4,500 seniors who either live in their own homes or in partner long-term care and assisted living communities. M Health Fairview Geriatrics provides on-site primary care to members living in the partner facilities, while members living in the community receive their primary care from a provider who practices at one of the many M Health Fairview Clinics.

Long-Term Care Growth

When Fairview Partners began, the program provided services in 14 long-term care facilities. Today, their facility partners have grown to 70 long-term care and assisted living communities (with many being LeadingAge Minnesota members). Seven of the 14 founding partners are still with the program today, which is a testament to the quality and community of the Fairview Partners program. 

Fairview Partners is a unique program in that it was the first Accountable Care Organization in this sector to provide total cost of care shared savings to its partners (long-term care and assisted living partners that comprise the Fairview Partners network). Since 1997, just short of $13 million has been shared based on overall performance in its value-based agreements.

Real World Impact

Mount Olivet Careview Home was one of the first founding members of the Fairview Partners program and has participated in the gain sharing opportunities ever since. The dollars shared back benefit the residents and the facilities in ways that would not have been possible without the additional funding.

Tim Hokanson, Administrator at Mount Olivet, says “I have been involved with Fairview Partners since its inception. The providers and care coordinators are extremely knowledgeable and take the time to listen and provide individualized care to every resident. They have created great relationships with residents, family members and facility staff. Fairview Partners has been invaluable to Mount Olivet and those we serve.” 

You can learn more about the Fairview Partners program here or by calling 952-914-1720.