Blue Cross partners with Ochsner Health in Louisiana

14-09-2017

Blue Cross partners with Ochsner Health in Louisiana

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Health insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Ochsner Health System have partnered to develop new affordable insurance products for individuals and businesses across the state.

According to a statement, the two organizations will work to identify solutions to help remedy rising healthcare costs, increase access to healthcare options and address quality issues for individuals and businesses in Louisiana.

The companies will operate under shared governance and have joint responsibility for financial performance, market strategy, clinical care model design and data sharing responsibilities to drive value for patients through jointly designed insurance products. These products will be offered at an affordable cost.

"What’s unique is that an insurer and provider are now aligned with a shared vision of what it takes to improve the health delivery system and we are working in partnership with Ochsner Health System to do just that," said Blue Cross president and CEO Steve Udvarhelyi. "We both understand that transforming healthcare is the only way to achieve the results we need in terms of quality and value."

Ranked 49th in the 2016 America’s Health Rankings report, poor health outcomes and rising costs are an ongoing problem for Louisiana.

Ochsner Health System president and CEO Warner Thomas, commented: "When you look at the data and the significant need in our state, partnerships like this are critical to make significant improvement. We partner with like-minded organizations, such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, who share our vision to improve quality and outcomes, provide more access to care and make healthcare more affordable across Louisiana."

A first solution brought forward by this partnership is Blue Connect, which provides Blue Cross members with coordinated, focused care and preferred access to Ochsner and its partners.

Blue Cross, Partnership, Ochsner Health, Steve Udvarhelyi, Warner Thomas, Louisiana, US