BCBSRI, Lifespan to form state’s largest accountable-care model

BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD of Rhode Island will partner with Lifespan to create the state's largest accountable-care organization, Blue Cross announced Tuesday. The agreement affects 35,000 commercially insured and Medicare patients and involves more than 110 physicians.
BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD of Rhode Island will partner with Lifespan to create the state's largest accountable-care organization, Blue Cross announced Tuesday. The agreement affects 35,000 commercially insured and Medicare patients and involves more than 110 physicians.

PROVIDENCE – Lifespan and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island on Tuesday announced a three-year agreement to share risk through an accountable-care payment model designed to better coordinate patient care and contain health care costs.
The collaborative payment model is designed to reward physicians for meeting quality performance and outcome goals, Blue Cross said, and will serve as a “first step in moving away from the traditional fee-for-service model.”
“Our goal is for patients to receive the care they need and to realize better health outcomes at a lower cost,” said Peter Andruszkiewicz, president and CEO of Blue Cross. “This new agreement represents Lifespan’s commitment to these goals and their support for the physician community as we work to transform health care in Rhode Island.”
The news of Blue Cross’ alliance with Lifespan follows the announcement earlier this month of a similar accountable care model formed by Blue Cross with Care New England and Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Corp., which included more than 10,000 Blue Cross members, 100 RI Primary Care providers and all four Care New England hospitals.
The Blue Cross-Lifespan agreement is even larger, affecting 35,000 commercially insured and Medicare patients and involving more than 110 physicians, 40 percent of which are affiliated with patient-centered medical homes.
Blue Cross said its partnership with Lifespan would constitute the largest accountable-care entity in Rhode Island.
According to Dr. Timothy J. Babineau, Lifespan’s president and CEO, the agreement will support Lifespan’s ongoing evolution from a system of hospitals into a fully integrated health care delivery system.
“Our focus continues to be on enhancing the patient experience and finding the best and most appropriate ways to deliver health with care,” said Babineau. “This agreement allows us to take another step in this direction all while building on our relationship with the provider community, and recognizing and rewarding quality care for our patients.”

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