May 3, 2018
Beginning January 1, 2019, Premera will begin participating in a national Blue Cross Blue Shield initiative called Flexible Network, designed to serve our national account members. Flexible Network provides information about healthcare quality and cost when members select acute care hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.
Why are we participating in Flexible Network?
Premera is committed to improving customers’ lives by making healthcare work better. When we’re transparent about variation in healthcare cost and quality, our customers can make informed choices.
How Flexible Network supports informed healthcare choices
Flexible Network evaluates acute care hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers using nationally consistent, industry-recognized quality measures. Providers are also assessed and grouped based on costs, and benchmarked against their peers. Employers can use this information when designing benefits, enabling members to see their options in terms of quality and cost of care.
Flexible Network is part of the Blue Distinction® program. Blue Cross Blue Shield companies recognize select providers as Blue Distinction® for the safe, effective care they provide to their patients. Each must meet a specific set of rigorous standards to receive the designation.
We’ll share more information about Flexible Network measures and assessments after the groupings are finalized. Contact your Provider Network Executive for more information.