5 questions with Todd Van Tol: A passion for health care

We sat down recently with Todd Van Tol, executive vice president of Health Care Value for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, to ask a few questions that are on the minds of health care providers. Here’s what he had to say:

1. What makes you passionate about the subject of health care?

What gets me excited about health care is the crucial role Blue Cross plays in the care ecosystem, both in Michigan and beyond. We play a key role in developing incentives and systems of care that support our health care providers as they work to deliver high-quality, high-value, affordable care — care that provides good patient outcomes and experiences, as well as a good provider experience.

2. What is the No. 1 challenge in health care that, once solved, can unlock real progress in achieving better outcomes?

We need to continue — and accelerate — the move from the fee-for-service model to value-based care models. There are two crucial components of this:

• We need to direct health care dollars based on a provider’s ability to deliver high-quality, affordable care with a good patient experience.
• We need to work more closely with providers to give them the data analysis and clinical insights they need to implement value-based care models through Blueprint for Affordability.

As the largest payor in the state, Blue Cross has an opportunity — and I would even say a responsibility — to shape care delivery by creating the right types of financial incentives. The traditional fee-for-service payment model isn’t conducive to improving outcomes. When payment to providers is tied, in part, to patient outcomes, we have an opportunity to improve care and outcomes for all Michigan residents, not just for Blue Cross members. This effort also can contribute to increased provider satisfaction, since health care providers share in the savings generated through Blueprint for Affordability initiatives.

4. Why are Medicare Star Ratings important to Blue Cross and our members?

For Blue Cross, achieving and maintaining a 4-Star Rating or above is an essential requirement to be considered a successful carrier of Medicare Advantage plans. It’s also important to remember that any bonus dollars we receive from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as a result of high ratings are passed back to our members — your patients — through lower premiums and improved plan benefits and products, such as zero-dollar premiums, enhanced dental and vision benefits, and the Silver Sneakers fitness program.

5. What’s the one piece of leadership advice you’d give to young professionals?

The word that comes to mind is “courage.” You must have the courage of your convictions to look at things in new ways, ask hard questions and not be afraid to challenge the status quo. While we have many great providers doing incredible work, our health care system has significant challenges around the issues of affordability and the complexity of health care. These challenges won’t be addressed without new ideas, new perspectives and innovative solutions.

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