About Us

What is a CIN

KCN is a Clinically Integrated Network (CIN) which is legally sanctioned collaborative framework that allows healthcare providers to contract with payors to improve patient outcomes while controlling costs through care management and cost-effective medical practices. CINs improve quality metrics and optimize efficiency by coordinating the efforts of independent and employed providers, hospitals and others by sharing data and providing feedback and support.

Through clinical integration, physicians, hospitals, and payors can work together in a more coordinated way to improve clinical outcomes and provide more cost-effective care. Network members work together in a mutually accountable way to develop and implement clinical protocols and monitor clinical performance. This helps achieve high quality care in a more efficient manner than can be achieved independently.

Founded in 2016, Kootenai Care Network works to improve the overall health of our community by supporting the delivery of efficient, high-quality care through the integration of providers, hospitals, and payors.

In 2017, Kootenai Care Network added Kootenai Accountable Care for Medicare patients and in 2021, Kootenai Value Care was added for Medicaid patients.

Kootenai Care Network utilizes a data-aggregator named Lightbeam to interface with the EMRs of all participating practices. Lightbeam also takes claims data from all contracted payors, to help us track quality and utilization of information and produce reports on progress towards goals for participating providers.

Mission Statement
Trusted advisors dedicated to building integrated healthcare communities and improving patient outcomes

Vision Statement
Kootenai Care Network will lead transformation within communities it serves where each patient receives the care needed, at the right place, the right time, and at an affordable cost

Kootenai Care Network Contracts With 8 Health Plans

• Kootenai Health Employee Health Plan
• Blue Cross of Idaho QHP
• Blue Cross of Idaho Medicare Advantage
• PacificSource Medicare Advantage
• Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO
• Medicaid Value Care Program VCO
• Regence Medicare Advantage
• Regence Commercial

ACO/VCO/CIN differences

An Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is just one of many value-based care payment models. ACOs were pioneered by Medicare to incentivize cost-containment and quality improvement, but there are now commercial ACOs and other payment models like Medicare Advantage which are designed to do the same. CINs are organizations that create the infrastructure to perform well in a variety of value-based care products, but they must operate under specific FTC regulations.

The term Value-based Care Organization (VCO) has special meaning in the state of Idaho. The VCO in Idaho manages the care of its Medicaid population using the same methods used by ACOs and is delivered by the infrastructure of CINs.