Employers have been increasingly experimenting with innovative strategies to control health care costs. But major health insurers? Not so much–at least until now.

In January 2021, Blue Cross & Blue Shield will roll out a "high-performance network" (HPN) that will direct patients to providers based on quality and cost–sound familiar? Many employers have been working with brokers and other consultants in recent years to craft networks of high-quality providers, identify Centers of Excellence and other strategies to make sure their workers are getting the appropriate medical treatment for the best price.

Now, BCBS wants to do the hard work for them. The plan is designed specifically for larger employers and will be available in 55 markets. "With individual plans, we have been focused on value-based care, cost and quality for a long time," Jennifer Atkins, vice president of network solutions for BCBS Association told Crain's Chicago Business. "This is our effort to bring that to a national market."

Source: BCBS

This is the first plan in 25 years to be produced by the BCBS Association, as opposed to individual plans created and offered by its 36 independent members. Those independent plans will have a key role in the initiative, though. They will be in charge of selecting local health care providers based on quality measurements.

"We understand the competitor landscape, both on a national and also a local level," Atkins said. "So, when you have large national employers that are looking for consistency across markets, it became really important to us to come together as one within the Blue HPN to meet that market need."

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BCBS to launch nationwide 'high performance network' plan

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