State & FederalMedicaidOctober 31, 2020

Provider transparency update

Beginning January 1, 2024, Empire became Anthem. This article, published under the former brand, now applies to Anthem.

A key goal of the provider transparency initiatives of Empire BlueCross BlueShield HealthPlus (Empire) is to improve quality while managing health care costs. One of the ways this is accomplished is through our value-based programs (for example, the Provider Quality Incentive Program, the Provider Quality Incentive Program Essentials, Risk and Shared Savings, etc.), known as the Programs

 

Value-Based Program Providers (also known as Payment Innovation Providers) in our various value-based programs receive quality, utilization and/or cost data, reports and information about other health care providers (Referral Providers). The Value-Based Program Providers can use that information in selecting Referral Providers for their patients covered under the Programs. If a Referral Provider is higher quality and/or lower cost, this component of the Programs should result in the provider getting more referrals from Value-Based Program Providers. If Referral Providers are lower quality and/or higher cost, the converse should be true.

 

Providing this type of data, including comparative cost information, to Value-Based Program Providers helps them make more informed decisions about managing health care costs, and maintaining and improving quality of care. It also helps them succeed under the terms of the Programs.

 

Empire will share data on which we relied in making these quality/cost/utilization evaluations upon request, and will discuss it with Referral Providers, including any opportunities for improvement. If you have questions or need support, please refer to your local market representative or care consultant.

 

NYE-NU-0253-20 September 2020