Friday, December 18, 2020
PITTSBURGH (December 18, 2020) — Highmark has launched two new high-performing networks in Pennsylvania that will help employers in western Pennsylvania offer workers access to the best local doctors and hospitals at the lowest cost.
Known as Performance Blue and Performance Flex Blue, the high-performing networks are focused on delivering quality care and lowering cost through strong relationships with local providers such as, but not limited to, Allegheny Health Network, Conemaugh Health System, Excela Health System, Washington Health System, St Clair Memorial Hospital and Penn Highlands Healthcare who are participating in Highmark’s value-based care initiatives.
Those value-based care initiatives include the True Performance program, which has achieved more than $1 billion in avoided cost savings while also improving outcomes for members. Highmark’s claims data for years 2017, 2018 and 2019 has shown that the program has helped to avoid a total of $1.09 billion in health care costs from Emergency Department (ED) visits and hospital admissions.
Primary Care Physicians, specialists, and hospitals in the Performance Blue and Performance Flex Blue networks have met clinical measures for patient care and also offer significant potential to close gaps in healthcare, improve outcomes, and holistically address how effective care should be provided to patients.
“Due to the strengths of our relationships with providers participating in our value-based care initiatives, coupled with our data collection and market experience, we are able to provide even greater value to employers in western Pennsylvania and across the state with Performance Blue and Performance Flex Blue,” said Anthony Benevento, market president, western region, for Highmark. “As employers continue to face challenges related to the pandemic, Performance Blue and Performance Flex Blue offer options to provide employees with access to great care locally with lower costs.”
Performance Flex Blue will offer PPO and PPO Qualified High Deductible plans, as well as an EPO and EPO Qualified High Deductible plans as a tiered benefit design. It is available for self-insured and fully insured large employer groups beginning Jan. 1, 2021. Performance Blue will also offer PPO, PPO Qualified High Deductible plans, EPO and EPO Qualified High Deductible plans for self- and fully insured large employer groups, but with a more select network of doctors and hospitals.
Highmark has also announced that it will be participating in a new national network of higher quality providers who deliver better and more affordable care called Blue High Performance Network (Blue HPN). Starting Jan. 1, 2021, more than 185 million Americans in more than 55 major markets will have access to Blue HPN across the country.
About Highmark Inc.
One of America's leading health insurance organizations and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Highmark Inc. (the Health Plan) and its affiliated health plans (collectively, the Health Plans) work passionately to deliver high-quality, accessible, understandable, and affordable experiences, outcomes, and solutions to customers. As the fourth-largest overall Blue Cross Blue Shield-affiliated organization, Highmark Inc. and its Blue-branded affiliates proudly cover the insurance needs of more than 5.6 million members in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia. Its diversified businesses serve group customer and individual needs across the United States through dental insurance and other related businesses. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.
For more information, contact:
Aaron Billger
Highmark Health
412-544-7826
Aaron.billger@highmarkhealth.org