Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and 190 OB/GYNs Create State’s First Patient-Centered Pregnancy and Delivery Program
Newark, NJ (PRWEB) January 22, 2014 -- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) announced today the state’s first Patient-Centered Pregnancy and Delivery Episode of Care Program (Program) designed to deliver better outcomes, better patient experience, and lower costs through better coordination of care for pregnant women. Horizon BCBSNJ joined with 190 of their network doctors at over 100 office locations to create this new program.
“Keeping babies healthy begins long before delivery, and this new Program, the first in the state, is focused on improving the mother’s – and her family’s – experience throughout the duration of her pregnancy and delivery with more coordinated, quality care,” said Jim Albano, Vice President, Network Management and Horizon Healthcare Innovations, Horizon BCBSNJ.
The OB/GYN doctors participating in the Program operate similar to a coach directing a team, by leading and organizing the full-spectrum of care related to a patient’s pregnancy, delivery and post-delivery recovery. Participating OB/GYN practices work closely with hospitals and other caregivers to ensure their patients receive quality, efficient care and an exceptional experience for the duration of their pregnancy. Horizon BCBSNJ will reimburse the participating practices at an agreed upon amount and participating doctors may be eligible for shared savings if they meet program goals.
“Lifeline Medical Associates, as a pioneer in quality initiatives for women, is proud to collaborate with Horizon on such a momentous program to drive quality outcomes and affordable care for our patients,” said Dr. Jack Feltz, President and CEO of Lifeline Medical Associates and President of the U.S. Women’s Health Alliance.
“Collaboration between Horizon and Regional Women’s Health Group has helped create an innovative way of developing a patient-centered pregnancy and delivery initiative throughout New Jersey,” said Frank J. Caso, President and CEO of Regional Women’s Health Group. “This innovative program is a jump start of the transformation that will occur in health care when physicians collaborate and coordinate care with hospitals throughout the pregnancy continuum of care.”
“The episode of care program is a unique opportunity for providers and insurance companies to work together to create an environment which will foster improved health care quality at a more cost effective rate,” said Dr. Philip G. Passes, President and CEO of Women’s Comprehensive Healthcare of New Jersey.
Practices participating in the Patient-Centered Pregnancy and Delivery Episode of Care Program include:
• Lifeline Medical Associates – One-hundred physicians at 50 locations in Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren Counties.
• Regional Women’s Health Group, LLC – Seventy-five physicians at 40 locations in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Passaic, Salem and Union Counties.
• Women’s Comprehensive Healthcare of New Jersey, LLC – Ten physicians at eight locations in Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
• Ocean Obstetric & Gynecologic Associates – Four physicians at three locations in Monmouth County.
• Dr. Christopher K. Chong – One physician at one location in Atlantic County.
Horizon BCBSNJ has a number of Patient-Centered Programs, including Accountable Care Organizations, Patient-Centered Medical Homes, and programs focused on different Episodes of Care (i.e. joint replacement, pregnancy). More than 500,000 Horizon BCBSNJ members are now benefiting from Horizon BCBSNJ’s Patient-Centered Programs that are working to improve patient care while controlling costs.
About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s oldest and largest health insurer, is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health services corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, serving 3.7 million members with headquarters in Newark and offices in Wall, Mt. Laurel, and West Trenton. Learn more at http://www.HorizonBlue.com.
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Thomas Vincz, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, http://www.horizonblue.com, 973-466-6625, [email protected]
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