Tenn BCBS Plans Transparency Program
The Blue Cross Blue Shield program in Tennessee announced plans to start a new transparency site in the fall. The online tool is under development to allow members to investigate the costs of medical care and the quality from different clinicians, as reported by the Nashville Business Journal.
The company acknowledges that the effort was initiated to support cost containment. The company was pressured by employers who contract with the company to help control the out-of-pocket costs that employers pay to provide health coverage for their employees.
The health insurer has been working for months to coordinate the effort, requiring participation from more than 19,000 physicians who participate as providers. A preliminary launch of the program was planned for April, but was pushed back secondary to concerns of participating clinicians. Doctors cited concerns about how patients would interpret data published.
As a result, the company spent time modifying the system so that data reflects specific episodes of care. The earlier iteration, alternatively, listed prices for specific procedures. BCBS specifically sought the input of the Tennessee Medical Association.
Clinicians will be able to review the newest version. A launch to the public is expected in mid-September.
July 28, 2008 Related topics: Trends, Quality, Safety, Errors