Highmark Blue Shield joins with Medical Group of Pennsylvania, a network of local independent physicians, to create greater value and improve coordination of care

Camp Hill, Pa. (Sept. 11, 2017) — Highmark Blue Shield has announced a new collaboration with Medical Group of Pennsylvania — an association of 75 local independent practices and over 450 physician members — to improve the quality of care and reduce costs for its members.

This strategic relationship with Medical Group of Pennsylvania will allow the insurer to work more closely with physicians to coordinate patient care and create better patient outcomes.

To achieve this, Medical Group of Pennsylvania practices will participate in Highmark's True Performance Plus program — an innovative value based reimbursement model. The practices will receive funding and support from Highmark to help develop the tools and technology needed to better manage care for members. If the practices meet certain care quality and cost efficiency targets, they may receive additional performance bonuses.

"This shift from fee for service to fee for performance is helping Highmark transform health care delivery," said Mark Jacobson, DO, Highmark medical director. "We focus on managing care through prevention and care coordination, which improves outcomes. Our relationship with Medical Group of Pennsylvania will allow us to work more closely and share information so our members are receiving appropriate care to stay healthy, manage diseases and prevent illness, which helps reduce long-term health care costs."

"As this health care landscape continues to change in central Pennsylvania, independent physicians are looking for ways to remain at the forefront of care delivery. This relationship allows Medical Group of Pennsylvania's members to maintain their focus on patient-centric care, creating better outcomes, and keeping patients' costs lower," said Safa Farzin, MD, Medical Group of Pennsylvania Chief Executive Officer. vAdditionally, our collaboration with Highmark allows us to work closely with a respected insurance provider and remain independent. It really is a win-win situation."

"This relationship between Medical Group of Pennsylvania and Highmark will certainly allow physicians to have active practices, but the real winners are the patients," said Todd Fisher, MD, a primary care physician and Medical Group of Pennsylvania Board member. "They will continue to have an option to see the physicians they choose. Patients need to have that option. My goal has always been to provide quality care for patients. This partnership provides the best environment for me to provide quality care in a cost effective manner."