Pictured left to right: Dr. Joseph G. Cacchione, CEO of Jefferson Health and Thomas Jefferson University, and Gregory E. Deavens, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross (Independence) and Jefferson Health have signed a long-term renewal of their innovative contract. The renewal marks a continued commitment by the two organizations to work together to enhance health care quality and access in the region, as well as maintaining affordability. It also extends Jefferson Health’s participation in Independence’s Total Value of Care value-based care program. The contract, which for the first time includes Einstein Healthcare Network and Jefferson Health New Jersey, will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
“This long-term contract renewal is a significant and positive step forward in our work with Jefferson Health. It acknowledges the near-term cost pressures that certain health systems are facing right now and increases our ability to find innovative ways to work together on value-based initiatives that keep costs down for our members and customers,” said Gregory E. Deavens, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross.
“This agreement will enable Jefferson to further our mission to improve lives in the communities we serve,” said Dr. Joseph G. Cacchione, CEO of Jefferson Health and Thomas Jefferson University. “We look forward to working together with Independence Blue Cross to further expand our innovative programs and explore additional partnerships that will enhance overall health in the region.”
Value-based care has been an important focus of Independence and Jefferson Health’s work together since 2017. Through Independence’s value-based care program, aligned with Jefferson Health’s extensive population health resources, the two organizations work together to deliver well-coordinated and team-based care. They also share in the accountability for both the quality and cost of care. Working this way drives more efficient and effective care that focuses on patients’ and members’ needs.
Jefferson Health and Independence are also committed to collaborating on and co-investing in innovative approaches to care. These approaches could improve health outcomes, break down barriers to care, improve upon health care inequities, and drive increased cost efficiency in the system. Two examples of this work include:
- Telehealth-Enabled Integrated Palliative Care for People with Dementia, a project that Jefferson Health is running, and Independence is funding through its Clinical Care Innovation Program. The program uses a telehealth and web-based advanced care planning model to help reduce barriers that older urban dwelling people with dementia face when trying to access palliative care. The goal is for this model to improve health and wellness at a population level and potentially reduce overall cost of care.
- Accelerate Health Equity, a multi-year initiative that brings together organizations across the Philadelphia region – including Independence and Jefferson Health – to combat health inequities and eliminate barriers to achieving equitable health outcomes. It’s designed to produce tangible improvement in these issues and, ultimately, positive change in health outcomes in Philadelphia.
Over the next few years, Independence and Jefferson Health plan to expand their work together. Integrating physical and behavioral health will be a particular area of focus, as will efforts to improve maternal and cardiovascular health.
Media contact:
Diana Quattrone
215-815-7828
Diana.Quattrone@ibx.com