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Going West: The Impact of Our First New Clinic.

Thoughts on our recent expansion from our CEO, Jason Doll.

Last month marked a significant milestone for Think Whole Person Healthcare as we expanded our services to West Omaha by integrating Omaha Family Medicine into our network. This strategic move is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing patient care and increasing access to high-quality healthcare across the Omaha community.

A New Era for Whole-Person Healthcare 

On August 1st, our new West Omaha clinic, located at 17841 Pierce Plaza, officially opened its doors. Under the leadership of Dr. Charles Stoner, a highly respected physician with decades of experience, the clinic initially offers primary care services, with plans to introduce walk-in services in the near future.

Dr. Stoner and his team joined the think network to leverage enhanced patient resources, reduce administrative burdens, and provide even higher-quality care. What truly drew them to think was our commitment as an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) to keeping patients healthy and out of the hospital—a priority that perfectly aligns with our shared mission to deliver affordable, comprehensive care.

Our expansion into West Omaha reflects think’s dedication to making healthcare more accessible and effective for the community. With the integration of Omaha Family Medicine, we are not only broadening our services but also positioning ourselves to achieve even better patient outcomes.

Recently, we sat down with Jason Doll, our CEO, for an insightful discussion on this expansion. Below are some key takeaways from the conversation.

Inside Think’s West Omaha Expansion

Interviewer: What inspired think to expand its services to West Omaha?

Jason Doll: Our commitment to making high-quality, affordable healthcare accessible across Omaha is a driving force behind our expansion. We believe everyone deserves convenient access to the care they need.  Adding Dr. Charles Stoner’s well-respected practice, Omaha Family Medicine, presented the perfect opportunity to establish a presence in West Omaha and further our mission.

While expansion wasn’t always our primary focus, celebrating our ninth anniversary recently solidified our success in delivering high-quality care at a lower cost and we were ready to bring our model to the wider community. 

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Stoner. I’d heard great things about his practice and wanted to connect.  Our conversation revealed a shared passion for preventive medicine and keeping patients out of the hospital. While initially considering having Dr. Stoner join us at our main location, the distance wasn’t ideal for him or his patients.

Over the next two years, we expanded services and optimized our existing facility, and with the support of our Board of Directors, we felt the time was right to establish a satellite clinic. Dr. Stoner’s patient-centered approach and outstanding reputation made Omaha Family Medicine a perfect addition. 

Interviewer: How does the West Omaha clinic align with think‘s overall mission and values?

Jason Doll:  The West Omaha clinic is a natural extension of think‘s commitment to whole-person healthcare. Our focus on providing comprehensive, personalized care aligns perfectly with the needs of the West Omaha community. Dr. Stoner, who will be leading the clinic, is not only an exceptional clinician but also a wonderful person who embodies the values we hold dear at think. We believed that culturally, as well as clinically, this partnership would be a great fit.

When we first started discussing the possibility of Dr. Stoner joining think, he was genuinely impressed with our model. What I often hear from physicians like him is that this is the kind of medicine they dreamed of practicing when they decided to go to medical school—keeping patients healthy, keeping the elderly in their homes, and improving people’s lives. Dr. Stoner recognized the value of our approach right from the beginning.

Interviewer: What sets think apart from other healthcare providers in the area?

Jason Doll: Think’s unique approach to healthcare is anchored in our Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model. This model means we are responsible for the overall health of a specific group of patients, allowing us to deliver personalized care and preventative measures. Our commitment to quality, affordability, and patient-centered care distinguishes us from traditional healthcare providers.

One of our key strengths is our comprehensive in-house services and extensive network of over 45 providers, including 30 in primary care like Dr. Stoner, along with specialists in rheumatology, podiatry, optometry, and behavioral health. These specialties are crucial, particularly for managing chronic conditions like diabetes and preventing hospital admissions linked to behavioral health issues. For instance, podiatry and optometry are vital in diabetic care, while rheumatology helps keep patients off the operating table.

Dr. Stoner’s patients will benefit greatly from this infrastructure. He’s eager to tap into the resources we offer, such as our full-service lab, CT scans, X-rays, and a soon-to-be-added second mammogram machine. These are services that many facilities struggle to provide without long wait times, but we aim to get patients in quickly, often on the same day.

What’s more, as an ACO, we have access to claims data for every payer with whom we have an ACO contract. This allows us to arm our doctors with detailed information on specialists across town, identifying those who are high quality and low cost—or conversely, low quality and high cost. This data helps drive better referral decisions, ensuring patients are directed to the best possible care. Dr. Stoner will soon realize the value of this information, which will likely influence his referral patterns, aligning them with our focus on quality and cost-effectiveness.

Interviewer: It seems the ACO is very important to think. Can you explain what that is for someone who might not be familiar? 

Jason Doll: Absolutely. An ACO, or Accountable Care Organization, is really central to our identity. It shapes everything we do in terms of patient care. In a typical healthcare setting, a patient might call in when they’re sick, make an appointment, see the doctor, and then leave, with the visit billed to insurance. That’s called fee-for-service, and we do that too. But in an ACO, it’s different—we have contracts with payers like the federal government, Blue Cross, United, Aetna, Humana, and others.

These contracts basically say, “You’re responsible for the care of 10,000 of our patients.” Based on those patients’ ages, risks, and comorbidities, the payer might expect to spend, say, $8 million on their care—that covers everything: hospitals, ER visits, medications, specialty and primary care, the works. If we manage to come in under that budget, we share the savings with the payer. But if costs exceed that amount, we have to cover the difference. So, being an ACO comes with financial risk, but it also incentivizes us to provide more efficient, higher-quality care.

So how do we do that? Here at think, we don’t just wait for patients to call us. We surround our doctors with a robust support team—phone staff, billing staff, front desk, and care coordinators. But we go further, surrounding them with clinical pharmacists, nurse care coordinators, and a 24-hour nurse triage team that we handle internally. And we’re in constant contact with our patients.

Take someone like Betty, who might be a 65-year-old diabetic. We want to be proactive in her care, so our nurse care coordinator or clinical pharmacist will call Betty regularly, maybe once a month. They might ask, “How are you doing, Betty?” And if Betty says, “Pretty good, but I’ve noticed I’ve gained a little weight and been feeling tired,” we’ll suggest she come in to see the doctor, maybe do some labs, and adjust her medication if needed. By catching these trends early, we prevent them from becoming serious issues that might land her in the ER or hospital.

The average patient in the U.S. sees their doctor twice a year. At think, our average patient sees their physician four times a year. While that may involve a bit more upfront cost, it’s clear that this approach helps keep patients out of the hospital through regular, proactive care.

Let me give you another statistic: our cost per Medicare patient is 30% lower than the national average. That means we’re keeping our patients out of the hospital at a 30% better rate than the average Medicare patient in the U.S. It’s a testament to the power of our ACO culture and our commitment to patient care.

Interviewer: How does think plan to continue growing and expanding its services in the future?

Jason Doll: When think recruited me four years ago, they had me at hello. I knew about their care model, and had always admired it. It’s the reason we were ranked number two in the country by CMS in 2023. Our mission is to provide the very highest quality care at the lowest cost and to make this the best place to work. And that is what we want to continue to bring to our community.

If you were to ask our 300 employees what part of the mission they identify with, you’d hear a lot about quality from our clinicians. And that’s very important. Others might focus on our culture and this being the best place to work. In large part, though, it’s about driving down the price of healthcare because it’s such a significant need. Our model does this and can change healthcare and truly benefit our community.

To get to your question about expansion, a very wise man once told me, “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything,” and I live by that. Our priority right now is to nail down what we’re doing with Dr. Stoner’s clinic, and likely grow it. If we can prove that our model improves care while driving down healthcare costs for his patients, which I’m 100% confident we will, then I believe we’ll have a continued opportunity for further expansion across Omaha and beyond.

Going West: A Look at Our Recent Expansion

Think‘s expansion to West Omaha marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide comprehensive healthcare to the Omaha community. With the addition of Omaha Family Medicine and the dedication of their team, we’re well-positioned to offer exceptional care and improve the health and well-being of West Omaha residents.

Key Benefits for Patients

  • Increased Accessibility: Our new West Omaha location ensures that residents in the area have easier access to the same high-quality healthcare that think is known for. Whether it’s primary care, lab work, or specialized services, everything patients need is now closer to home.
  • Preventative Care Focus: At think, we believe in keeping patients healthy and out of the hospital. Our emphasis on preventive care means that we’re not just treating illnesses but actively working to prevent them, helping our patients avoid more serious and costly medical issues.
  • Comprehensive Services: Patients at the West Omaha clinic will have access to a broad range of services through the think network, from primary care to specialty services like rheumatology, optometry, and behavioral health. This integrated approach ensures that all aspects of a patient’s health are addressed under one roof.
  • Expert and Compassionate Care: Dr. Charles Stoner and his team bring decades of experience and a deep commitment to patient care. Their dedication, combined with the resources of think, means that patients will receive the best possible care, tailored to their unique needs.
  • Better Health Outcomes: Our ACO model is designed to deliver not just quality care, but also measurable improvements in patient health. By focusing on efficiency and effectiveness, we can reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes, ensuring that our patients get the best value from their healthcare.

READY TO EXPERIENCE WHOLE-PERSON HEALTHCARE?

Think is committed to providing accessible, high-quality care to our community, and this expansion to West Omaha is another example of this commitment.

Looking for a new primary care physician in West Omaha? Dr. Stoner is now welcoming patients at our new location! Schedule an appointment online at or by phone at 402.991.7000. 

Already a think patient seeking care at our primary location? Explore our wide range of healthcare services by visiting our Services page online.  You can also choose your own think medical professional by visiting our Meet Your Doctor page and scheduling an appointment online or give us a call at 402.506.9000.

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