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Press Releases
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Press ReleaseIndependence Blue Cross Supports Launch of Regional Initiative to Transform Health Care DeliveryMore than 220,000 patients to benefit Philadelphia, PA - May 15, 2008 - An early advocate and participant in Governor Edward Rendell's Chronic Care Commission, Independence Blue Cross recently participated in the state's launch of the most comprehensive chronic care initiative ever offered in the nation. A partnership among health care providers, insurers, and professional associations, the initiative promotes better patient wellness and a team approach to delivering care. It was officially launched in southeastern PA with a two-day collaborative meeting attended this week by more than 160 health professionals from 30 primary care practices throughout the region. The collaborative is the largest of its kind in the nation that advances the "patient-centered medical home," a term that describes a patient's relationship with his or her team of health care providers, emphasizing primary and preventive care to stay well and more efficient use of health resources. The idea is to help patients manage their conditions before health problems get out of control by fundamentally changing the focus of the health care system from reacting to acute illness to preventing it. More than 220,000 patients - a majority of whom are Independence Blue Cross (IBC) members - will participate in this new program. This is the first large-scale partnership between a state and multiple health plans that will provide additional reimbursement for primary care practices to help them dramatically change the way they care for their patients. IBC is the largest insurer among several payers involved with the initiative, which was established in 2007 through the recommendations of the Pennsylvania Chronic Care Management, Reimbursement and Cost Reduction Commission created by Governor Rendell. "We are committed to supporting innovative approaches that make it easier for our members to get care, and that focus on helping them take a more active role in managing their illnesses," said Dr. Richard Snyder, senior vice president Health Services for Independence Blue Cross. "We are excited to be part of the Chronic Care Commission and the team that helped developed this model. We believe this new way of delivering health care will improve the quality of life for members with chronic conditions, promote longer life expectancies, and ultimately help reduce avoidable hospitalizations and lower health care costs." "The goal of this historic collaboration is to radically change how primary care is delivered, how that care is paid for to promote quality, and to move people towards taking an active roll in their own health," said Philip W. Magistro, director of IT and project manager to the Office of Health Care Reform's Chronic Care Commission. "We applaud Independence Blue Cross and other participating payers and health care providers for their commitment and investment in making this program a reality." States such as Vermont, Washington, Colorado, and North Carolina have chronic care initiatives, but nothing on the same scale as the Pennsylvania project. Similar programs will be rolled out across Pennsylvania over the next year. About Independence Blue Cross About the Governor's Office of Health Care Reform |