(Eagan, Minn.) October 20, 2015 – In recognition of leadership for using provider performance data to improve health outcomes, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) is the recipient of a 2015 Leadership in Health Care Innovation Award by Minnesota Community Measurement. The award recognizes organizations and individuals for leadership in health care transparency and use of provider performance data to improve health care in Minnesota.
Blue Cross was recognized for creating incentive-based provider contracting that promotes the Triple Aim framework developed by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement: bettering the individual experience of care, improving the overall health of a population and reducing per capita health care costs. This was achieved by driving awareness of health care disparities and aligning with measures developed and collected by Minnesota Community Measurement to reduce the reporting burden of providers.
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has created an incentive program that uses the high-value measures developed by Minnesota Community Measurement to improve quality and reduce health disparities in Minnesota,” said Jim Chase, president of Minnesota Community Measurement. “In doing so, they have helped our organization fulfill one of the foundational tenants of our mission to improve health and health care.”
Blue Cross’ incentive-based program, called aligned incentive contracting, reduces overall health care cost by collaborating with providers to implement a payment model that transitions from the standard volume-based fee-for-service model to an accountable care model that rewards providers based on improving patients health outcomes and effectively manage the cost of care.
Introduced in 2011, aligned incentives is the Blue Cross contractual standard with 10 integrated care systems in Minnesota. Approximately one-third of all of Blue Cross’ heath care spending goes through these agreements. To date, the aligned incentive agreements reduced overall medical costs by approximately $73.2 million after paying provider incentives, while increasing key measures of better health outcomes for patients.
“Blue Cross is honored to be recognized by Minnesota Community Measurement for this collaborative initiative,” said Garrett Black, senior vice president of health collaboration, provider relations and medical management. “Through this type of work we have begun to change the health care system to one that rewards physicians and hospitals for improving health outcomes. Improving the health care system is possible through collaborative initiatives between health plans, physicians and hospitals that measure and reward improvements in health outcomes.”
Blue Cross was one of six recipients to be given Minnesota Community Measurement’s Leadership in Health Care Innovation Award in 2015.