Press Release
Independence Blue Cross Offers Members
Expanded Information on Hospitals, Physicians, Costs
Enhanced Web Tool Supports Consumer Decision-Making
Philadelphia, PA - March 10, 2005 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) members can now access quality ratings of participating physicians and hospitals, patient safety data, and hospital cost information to make more informed decisions about their provider options. The information, available through an enhanced provider directory, is the latest enhancement of IBC's Consumer-Driven Health Care initiative, which is designed to give members a wide range of useable tools and information to make better decisions about their medical care and its costs.
IBC is offering the additional provider information to its members through an agreement with HealthGrades, Inc., a leading independent health care provider performance measurement company. HealthGrades, Inc. supplies quality and patient safety ratings, and information and advisory services to healthcare providers, employers, health plans and insurance companies.
"With more people enrolled in consumer-driven health plans and having more decision-making power in managing their benefits, we have improved our online tools to offer our members more comprehensive information to assist them in making informed decisions about their care," said Dr. I. Steven Udvarhelyi, IBC Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.
"The expanded provider information on the web allows our members to access information on the quality and outcomes of care for participating providers."
IBC members can access these online tools on www.ibxpress.com. Medicare members can access www.site65.com.
In addition to office hours, office locations, and physicians' hospital affiliations, IBC members are able to learn more about a participating doctor's medical education and board certification status. They can also compare the quality of Blue Cross network hospitals and view safe practices information that are voluntarily reported by hospitals.
The enhanced online provider system will allow IBC members to access hospital cost data to find out the range of a hospital's charges for treating over a hundred medical issues - such as gallbladder removal, coronary bypass surgery and knee replacement surgery - and compare the results with other participating hospitals.
HealthGrades, Inc. uses hospital discharge data to rate more than a hundred hospital procedures and diagnoses as "best" (five-star), "average" (three-star), or "below average" (one-star). Patient safety data ratings are from the Leapfrog Group's voluntary patient safety initiative surveys. Cost data are compiled from publicly available hospital claims data. Leapfrog is an initiative made up of more than 160 companies and organizations that buy health care and work together towards improving the safety, quality and affordability of health care.
HealthGrades, Inc.'s physician-related data is cross-matched and verified from a variety of public and private data sources with board certification information coming from the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists.
The enhanced provider directory is the latest offering in IBC's assortment of consumer-focused programs that are designed to help members be more proactive in their health care. As part of its consumer-driven strategy, IBC also offers ConnectionsSM Health Management Programs, which provide decision support, health coaching and educational resources to support members facing treatment decisions or everyday health concerns, and to encourage shared decision-making with their physicians.
In addition, IBC offers new health account products that include Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA), which allow members to access tax-advantaged dollars to help pay for deductibles, coinsurance and copayments associated with their health insurance program. IBC recently introduced Health Savings Accounts (HSA)-Qualified High Deductible Health Plans through its Personal Choice product line and has a preferred relationship with Bancorp Bank to make HSA services available to its members.
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.5 million people.
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