Anthem and Aurora Healthcare Create Joint Venture; Trends for Health Systems Entering Insurance Markets Continue to Grow
As health systems accept increased risk under healthcare reform, partnerships and provider insurance plans may also lead to greater rewards for hospitals and doctors
Even as pathologists, clinical laboratories, and other medical service providers adapt to value-based care initiatives and bundled payment plans, health systems are looking for ways to optimize both quality of care and treatment costs. In some cases this is the reason behind new joint ventures between provider and payer organizations.
Once such joint venture involves Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Aurora Healthcare. It was announced in an April press release.
The two partners created a newly licensed insurer called the Wisconsin Collaborative Insurance Company (WCIC). With both Anthem and Aurora Healthcare investing $5-million in the new insurance company, they will split equally any profits and losses derived from their new commercial health plan—Well Priority.
The plan includes services with 15 Aurora Healthcare hospitals as well as choice providers throughout the state. The first commercial plan will be available to fully insured and self-insured employers, with service starting January 1, 2017. (more…)
