Blue Cross adds 7 more physician organizations to Blueprint for Affordability

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has added seven more physician organizations to the Blueprint for Affordability program, a transformative, risk-sharing payment model. In total, 21 organizations are participating, representing roughly 38% of Blue Cross’ total commercial membership and 42% of the Medicare Plus Blue℠ membership.

The seven organizations that signed risk-sharing agreements with Blue Cross in December are:

Southeast Michigan

Accountable Healthcare Advantage
Beaumont ACO
Medical Network One
Oakland Physician Network Services

Mid-Michigan

Covenant Healthcare
Professional Medical Corporation

West Michigan

Answer Health

“Blueprint for Affordability provides tools and support to assist physician organizations in delivering seamless, coordinated, timely and affordable care,” said Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan President and CEO Daniel J. Loepp. “As these physician organizations join in, more people benefit from higher quality health care, which in turn makes costs more affordable.”

Background

Blueprint for Affordability represents the move away from traditional fee-for-service reimbursement, which has proven ineffective in improving patient outcomes and lowering costs. It uses risk-sharing contracts in which health organizations agree to put a portion of their payments from Blue Cross “at risk,” based on their success in managing their patients’ health. When health care is better managed, the total cost of care is reduced.

Over the past year, the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have underscored the importance of care coordination and ongoing patient outreach — key elements of Blueprint.

For more information, visit BlueprintForAffordability.com.

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