PicassoMD, Inc., a platform that connects healthcare providers for real-time clinical decision support, referrals, and care coordination, and the Community Health Center Association of Mississippi (CHCAMS), a membership organization comprised of the 21 Federally Qualified Health Centers providing quality comprehensive healthcare in accredited medical homes in the state, are proud to announce a new partnership that will enable affiliated providers to connect with local and remote specialists in real-time.
“Now, 267 primary health care sites serving more than 311,000 Mississippians can have their health care provider access a specialist if an issue beyond their scope of practice is revealed during the patient visit,” said Terrence M. Shirley, MPH, CEO of the Community Health Center Association of Mississippi. “This is a win-win-win for the patient, the provider, and the health center. The patient and provider get additional support during the visit, potentially cutting down on additional visits, travel, and costs. The health centers build capacity to serve their communities.”
PicassoMD and CHCAMS share a common goal of making access to healthcare more equitable. Developed by a cardiologist, PicassoMD has eliminated nearly 50 percent of planned referrals and almost 90 percent of emergency room visits, resulting in fewer unnecessary expenses and more satisfied patients. The platform enables primary care providers (PCPs) to access real-time clinical consultations with specialists across more than 30 specialties to improve outcomes and reduce costs. In addition, if a referral is necessary, PicassoMD helps seamlessly transition the patient from the PCP to a local specialist.
CHCAMS’s member Mississippi Federally Qualified Health Centers (MS-FQHCs) are located in rural and urban areas across the state. These centers provide complete preventive and primary health care services at 267 delivery sites. In addition, health services are also offered via school-based clinics and mobile units staffed by FQHC clinicians and support staff. In 2020, FQHCs provided comprehensive primary care to over 311,000 Mississippians through more than 900,000 visits.
"We are proud to be partnering with CHCAMS and the MS-FQHCs to provide high-quality specialty care to the people of Mississippi," said Dr. Reza Sanai, founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of PicassoMD. "This new partnership will enable Mississippi Federally Qualified Health Centers to provide better patient care by connecting them with local and remote specialists in real-time."
"The partnership between PicassoMD and CHCAMS will provide a unique opportunity for our patients to receive more comprehensive care in a timely manner," said Joseph Grice, MPH, who currently serves as Chief Value Officer for CHCAMS. "We are excited to have a platform enabling our health centers to provide better patient care."
PicassoMD is a value-based company focused on one mission: transitioning quantity care into quality care. The PicassoMD platform connects primary care providers and specialists for real-time clinical decision support, referrals, and care coordination. PicassoMD was founded by physicians and seasoned entrepreneurs and backed by high-caliber, health-focused investors, including Greycroft, Blue Venture Fund, and Metrodora Ventures. Everyday PicassoMD helps make care more accessible, affordable, and equitable. To learn more, visit picasso.md
The Community Health Center Association of Mississippi (formerly the Mississippi Primary Health Care Association) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization comprised of 21 Federally Qualified Health Centers providing quality comprehensive healthcare in accredited medical homes. Member health centers provide care to over 311,000 patients within 267 sites throughout Mississippi’s underserved communities. Community Health Centers generate more than a quarter of a billion dollars per capita to our state’s economy. For forty years, CHCAMS has provided its members with exceptional training, technical support, and advocacy at the state and federal levels.
To learn more, visit chcams.org
or contact:
Chris Wimbush, Chief of Staff, PicassoMD, Inc.
703-261-4832 / media@picassomd.com
Kathryn Rodenmeyer, Dir. of Communications, CHCAMS
601-594-2450 / krodenmeyer@chcams.org
