Building a Better Healthcare System for the Future

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Building a Better Healthcare System for the Future
eHealth Initiative Annual Conference Washington,
D.C. December 4, 2008
Scott P. SerotaPresident CEO
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Building a Better Healthcare System
Blues committed to collaborating with key
stakeholders

• Leading Brands in healthcare
• 102 million members
• 90 percent of hospitals, 80 percent of physicians
  
• 80-year history of community commitment

• Improving healthcare quality and safety
• Empowering consumers and providers
• Strong support for eHealth initiatives

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Building a Better Healthcare System
Pathway lays out 5-part plan for better
healthcare system
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Blue Health Intelligence
BHI provides solid support for evidence-based care

• Unparalleled insights into quality of care,
  safety and costs
• Benchmarks health trends across
• Industries
• Regions
• Demographic groups
• Enables employers to tailor benefits for unique
  populations
• Development guided by medical experts

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Blue Distinction
More than 800 Blue Distinction designations
nationwide
Designation as Blue Distinction Centers means
facilities overall experience and aggregate data
met objective criteria established in
collaboration with the recommendations of expert
clinicians and leading professional
organizations.
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Improving Quality of Care
Patient readmission rates following cardiac
procedures are lower at Blue Distinction Centers
across the country
n 1629
808
2362
1797
Results shown are mean values for cumulative 0-90
day readmission rate. Source HealthCore, Inc.
Cardiac Multi-Plan Claims Analysis, 2008
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Improving Cost of Care
Blue Distinction Centers also report lower costs
per event
Results shown are median values from
risk-adjusted analysis. All allowable costs for
initial admission through 90 days. 90-day
eligibility required for patient cohort. Allowed
amount total claims from inpatient and
outpatient services. Source HealthCore, Inc.
Cardiac Multi-Plan Claims Analysis, November 2008
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Comparative Effectiveness Institute

• Blues strongly support public-private effort to
  create credible clinical information on proven
  efficacy of medical procedures

• Independent Research Institute
• Compare effectiveness of new and existing
  procedures, drugs, devices and biologics
• Conduct clinical trials
• Public-Private Board
• Funded by all payers private and public,
  including Medicare and Medicaid

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Comparative Effectiveness Institute

• Growing support for passing comparative
  effectiveness bill

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Comparative Effectiveness Institute

• And growing press interest in comparative
  effectiveness

National Journal/Congress Daily
BlueCross and BlueShield Association went public
with the initiative today and even offered to
help pay for it "Frankly, we view it as an
investment in consumer health...
A comparative effectiveness institute is the best
way to increase health care quality and at the
same time rein in cost. The sooner it is created,
the sooner we can improve care forthose with
insurance as well as broaden access to those
without.
The association called on Congress to pass
legislation establishing a national institute
that would fund research into how useful and
cost-effective different treatmentsfor the same
condition are.
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Supporting Widespread Adoption of HIT
Health Information Technology is a critical
enabler toward building a better healthcare
system for future generations
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Building a Better Healthcare System for the Future
eHealth Initiative Annual Conference Washington,
D.C. December 4, 2008
Scott P. SerotaPresident CEO