Regence and MultiCare Health System Announce New Collaborative Care Initiatives

SEATTLE, Aug. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Regence BlueShield in Washington and MultiCare Health System today announced that they have taken an important step in advancing the Triple Aim goals of improving the health of patients and their care experience, and lowering costs, through a new payment model. Additionally, the two organizations are collaborating on innovative new networks and health insurance products to further enhance care and bend the medical cost curve for people in the south Puget Sound region.

The initiative will include a shared incentive reimbursement arrangement for services at MultiCare hospitals and clinics which will be aligned with increased focus on quality and patient care goals that are mutually agreed to by Regence and MultiCare.

"MultiCare Health System shares Regence's long history in the local community, and commitment to improving the experience of health care," said Mary Kay O'Neill, M.D., M.B.A, executive medical director for Regence BlueShield in Washington. "Working together, Regence and MultiCare can transform the healthcare system through innovative collaborative care programs such as this new model, and future initiatives as we continue our joint efforts."

MultiCare Health System is the largest not-for-profit health system in the South Sound region, with five hospitals, dozens of primary care, urgent care and specialty clinics, and an extensive network of physicians and other providers.  MultiCare was one of the first health systems in Washington State to adopt the electronic health record system to improve the quality and safety of patient care. Regence and MultiCare have been working together to enhance and tailor a collaborative care model to meet the specific needs of Regence members and customers in the South Sound.  

"We are excited to partner with Regence to develop innovative care models that will enhance the quality of care for our patients," said Claire Spain-Remy, MD, Senior Vice President for MultiCare Medical Associates, the physician/provider network for MultiCare.  "Our providers are committed to improving access to care, quality outcomes and efficiency. Our deep expertise with using the electronic health record to better coordinate care will be invaluable in this collaboration."

The agreement with MultiCare Health System is the latest development in Regence's comprehensive Accountable Health strategy within the Regence family of companies in Washington, Oregon, Utah and Idaho to help foster collaborative physician-patient relationships that improve quality of care. Since 2007, Regence has worked with providers, employers, and individual members throughout its four-state region to implement collaborative care models.

Regence is currently developing additional collaborative arrangements with doctors and hospitals throughout the Northwest region. Announcements are anticipated in the coming weeks.

About Regence BlueShield
Regence BlueShield is a leading health plan in Washington with nearly one million members, offering health, life and dental insurance. Regence BlueShield is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and is affiliated with Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah. Together, the companies serve more than two million members in the Northwest/Intermountain Region. The Regence affiliated companies are committed to improving the health of its members and communities, and to transforming the healthcare system. For more information, please visit www.regence.com or www.twitter.com/RegenceWA.

About MultiCare Health System
A not-for-profit community organization based in Tacoma, Wash., MultiCare is the largest health care system in the South Sound, with five hospitals, dozens of clinics and 10,000 employees. Hospitals include MultiCare Allenmore Hospital, MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, MultiCare Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital. MultiCare has earned numerous national awards for quality and for the use of technology to improve patient care. For more information, please visit multicare.org.

SOURCE Regence BlueShield