Hospital and Physician Update

September – October 2019

Our history is rooted in partnering with doctors, hospitals

Eighty years ago, what is now Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan was founded by doctors and hospitals to provide families with affordable, prepaid insurance plans for medical care.

In our 80th year, we’re continuing to improve the health of the 5.4 million people we serve with programs that bring more value. We’re also offering more affordable options for medication and services to lower the overall costs of care.

Blue Cross is proud to be a force for positive change, but we know we couldn’t do it alone. For example:

• Our partnerships with doctors and hospitals have improved patient care.
• Our work with legislators helped to expand Medicaid so more people have access.
• Our collaboration with community organizations and causes increase awareness for such devastating diseases as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Partnering with doctors and hospitals

Through the Value Partnerships program, we work with practitioners, physician organizations and acute-care hospitals in the state to improve health care for Michigan residents.

This innovative approach to transforming health care uses technology and the sharing of best practices to improve health care quality, experience and affordability. Our partnerships allow us to:

• Enhance the quality of care.
• Decrease complications.
• Manage costs.
• Eliminate errors.
• Improve health outcomes.

Here are three key elements of the Value Partnerships program:

• The Physician Group Incentive Program connects more than 40 physician organizations across Michigan to collaborate on initiatives that improve health care.
• Through Collaborative Quality Initiatives, hospitals and physicians share data to develop best practices around areas of care with high costs and high variation. Currently, there are 17 CQIs that cover various areas of care, including bariatric surgery and arthroplasty. The program has saved $1.4 billion in statewide health care costs.
• Our Patient-Centered Medical Home designation program is the largest of its kind in the nation.

A force for positive change

Over the past eight decades, Blue Cross has increased access to quality, affordable health care, improved patient health and safety and raised the quality of care for millions of members and customers. In a blog on MI Blues Perspectives earlier this year, Blue Cross President and CEO Daniel J. Loepp wrote about how Blue Cross has been a force for positive change for 80 years.

In our 80th year, we want to say thank you to all of our partners for allowing us to work with you to improve the health of Michigan residents throughout the state, he wrote. Together we’ll continue to create a healthier Michigan and be a force for positive change for our members, customers and communities for decades to come.

To read more about some of Blue Cross’ partnerships and see a historical timeline, click here.

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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.