3 new Premera contracts focus on improving care

One of the ways we're making healthcare work better is by collaborating with providers to focus on improving care.

Health plans usually agree to pay fees for each service your doctor provides. So we pay more if you receive more care. But more services don't always mean better results for you.

Premera's new agreements pay more for better care. Premera's executive vice president of healthcare services explains:

“Our goal is to make sure patients get the care they need and the experience they deserve,” Dr. John Espinola said. "We do that by working with providers to reward great performance with financial incentives."

We recently signed new 3-year contracts with these medical groups:

• Northwest Medical Specialties gives Premera members access to cancer care programs at 6 locations. That includes in Tacoma, Puyallup, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, and Bonney Lake.
• EvergreenHealth system includes more than 1,100 doctors and providers. They operate 10 primary care practices, 2 urgent care centers, and 2 emergency departments.
• MultiCare Health System operates facilities and clinics throughout Pierce and King counties.

So much of the care is delivered in the hospitals.  And so, Premera has asked that these hospitals focus improvement in 4 areas:

1. Enhancing patient safety
2. Avoiding infections from surgery
3. Avoiding infections from a hospital stay
4. Improving patient experience

Improving patient experience means treating you with dignity, in every way. It means simplifying billing, providing the right information, and ensuring we respect your time.

Here's a common example: You see a doctor, have an x-ray taken, and get blood drawn for a lab test, all in one visit.

Under the old way of doing things, that means you would likely receive several different bills. We've arranged for many urgent care centers to provide you with only 1 bill, which means only 1 payment.

It's a simple idea. But little things add up. That's why we'll keep working with providers to make sure you get better care and better value from your health plan.