Springfield, PA – Noble Health Alliance (Noble) has achieved two important milestones with the selection of Independence Blue Cross (Independence) to serve as the sole administrator for the self-insured medical benefits plans that cover 39,000 employees and dependents of the four health systems in Noble. Independence will also serve as the preferred health insurer for the development and implementation of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) that will support the delivery of high-quality clinically integrated care through Noble’s clinically integrated network of healthcare providers.
“With Independence Blue Cross, we are collaborating with the region’s preferred health insurer, an organization that shares our goal of improving both the quality and efficiency of health care, and is highly regarded by the same communities served by the hospitals in the Noble Health Alliance,” said Patrick R. Young, chairman and CEO of Noble Health Alliance. “We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration presents for our physicians, employees, patients, and health systems.”
“We’re pleased to expand our collaboration with Noble in this broad, new way to help improve the health and well-being of the Noble health systems’ employees and the patients they serve,” said Independence president and CEO Daniel J. Hilferty. “In addition, we look forward to working with Noble leaders to create a dynamic and successful ACO strategy by sharing what we’ve learned and successes from our ACO payment model, which is beginning to show meaningful results in improving the quality and efficiency of care among many health systems and hospitals in our region.”
Noble Health Alliance was founded in 2013 by Abington Health, Aria Health System, Crozer-Keystone Health System, and Einstein Healthcare Network. Noble allows the four health systems to collaborate on the development of a clinically integrated provider network and population health management infrastructure designed to improve the quality and efficiency of health care services. The four health systems include 15 hospitals and more than 4,600 physicians and other health care professionals serving the five-county southeastern Pennsylvania region.
Independence will serve as the medical benefits administrator for the 39,000 employees and dependents covered by the Noble health systems’ respective medical benefits plans, beginning January 1, 2015. In addition to these administrative services, Noble and Independence will collaborate on a range of activities related to serving this population of employees and dependents as an ACO.
“An effective ACO needs a strong insurance collaborator,” said Susan L. Williams, M.D., chief medical officer for Noble, “and Independence Blue Cross has excellent data capabilities which will be a powerful tool in helping our physicians provide better, more efficient and quality driven care.”
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve nearly 9 million people in 24 states and the District of Columbia, including 2.5 million in the region. For more than 75 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more about how we’re changing the game, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
About Noble Health Alliance
Noble Health Alliance, composed of Abington Health, Aria Health System, Crozer-Keystone Health System, and Einstein Healthcare Network, is a platform for independent health systems to work together to improve the health of populations through a clinically integrated network involving highly coordinated and efficient care and a population health management infrastructure while remaining attuned to the needs of their local communities. Formed in 2013 by four health systems in the Philadelphia area, the initiative includes 15 hospitals and more than 4,600 physicians and other providers.
Media contact
Ruth Stoolman
Independence Blue Cross
215-241-4807 (office)
215-280-3335 (cell)
ruth.stoolman@ibx.com