GRAND FORKS — An organization aimed at supporting small-town, independent hospitals has helped facilities in North Dakota and Minnesota form their own rural health networks. Personal experiences working in the field and the changing landscape of health care drives the team behind Cibolo Rural Health Networks. Nathan White, president and CEO of Cibolo, said the organization strives to make sure small-town hospitals can stay open and independent.
“How can we keep these rural hospitals not just surviving but thriving?” he said. “I think that’s the fundamental challenge that really gets us energized, and to see their energy around new opportunities is also just enormously positive. So, that’s kind of what we do this for.
” ADVERTISEMENT Cibolo works with independent, rural hospitals to create clinically integrated networks — groups of health care providers working together to improve quality of care and reduce costs. Cibolo has created two networks so far in its existence. One is the Rough Rider High Value Network in North Dakota, a collaboration of 23 hospitals and 41 clinics.
The other is the Headwaters Network in Minnesota, between more than 50 clinics and 19 hospitals, though the latter is anticipating growth. The networks work with insurance companies to create value-based care contracts, which Cibolo Chief Medical Officer Clint MacKinney said is different from what is prevalent across the country. Many health care providers are paid based on how much service .