ThedaCare to Join Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Blue Priority Network
<0> AnthemScott Larrivee, 262-523-4746Twitter: </0>
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield today announced the five hospitals, 22 clinics, and 775 doctors and other health care providers of ThedaCare will join health insurer’s Blue Priority accountable care network effective June 15, 2013.
“We are extremely excited to add ThedaCare to the Blue Priority network,” said Larry Schreiber, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin. “Blue Priority providers have demonstrated a special commitment to high quality, coordinated patient care that we believe is the model for the future of health care in our country. The addition of ThedaCare’s professionals and facilities will allow even more businesses and individuals the opportunity to experience the benefits of Blue Priority.”
Also added to the Blue Priority network are several medical specialties and practices in the Fox Valley area affiliated with ThedaCare facilities.
Blue Priority is Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Accountable Care Organization network offering in eastern Wisconsin. Launched in 2012 around Aurora Health Care’s more than 1,500 physicians, 15 hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, surgery centers and other services, Blue Priority is designed to offer a high-quality health care experience that improves outcomes and controls costs. Providers in the Blue Priority network exchange clinical health data, co-manage patient cases, and establish quality benchmarks in order to enhance health outcomes while eliminating inefficiencies.
“The addition of ThedaCare’s professionals and facilities to the Blue Priority product will enhance the network in the Fox Valley,” said Rick Klein, executive vice president of growth, marketing and development at Aurora Health Care.
Working with the clinical staff and professionals of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Priority health care providers proactively manage patient care to improve the overall health of the Blue Priority patient population. Efficiencies and savings are achieved through a focus on:
Blue Priority is designed for all size employers looking to offer high quality benefits at low premiums. Exact cost savings vary by employer group employee population and current provider utilization patterns, but are approximately 10 percent on average. In some cases, savings may be even more significant.
Blue Priority members currently have in-network access to all Aurora Health Care providers and facilities, select independent providers and specialty care at Children’s Hospital. Once ThedaCare formally joins Blue Priority, in-network benefits will be expanded to include ThedaCare health care providers, services, clinics and facilities. Depending on the plan purchased, Blue Priority members may also have access to Blue Cross and Blue Shield-contracted providers outside of Wisconsin at in-network rates, just as many Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield members do today.
Sometimes mistaken as another name for an HMO, an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is actually a new kind of care delivery arrangement designed to control health care costs by focusing on outcomes, the total cost of care, and improving patient health. Health care organizations in the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Blue Priority network:
Businesses interested in learning more about Blue Priority and getting a rate quote should contact their insurance broker.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin (BCBSWi), which underwrites or administers the PPO and indemnity policies; Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation (Compcare), which underwrites or administers the HMO policies; and Compcare and BCBSWi collectively, which underwrite or administer the POS policies. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin is available at . Also, follow us on Twitter at , on Facebook at , or visit our YouTube channel at .