Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and North Memorial Health are joining forces to transform care
Today is a landmark moment for healthcare in Minnesota. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and North Memorial Health are now partners in in a joint venture that will set a new standard for how care is delivered in our state.
Together, our organizations are becoming co-owners of 20 North Memorial Health primary and specialty clinics. This shared ownership model, which goes into effect on January 1, 2020, will be led by dedicated CEO Jennifer Close and a Board of Directors. We shared this exciting announcement in a press release issued earlier today.
Blue Cross MN and North Memorial: a great match
For too long, health care has been too complicated, too fragmented and too expensive. North Memorial Health and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota are like-minded partners, as our organizations share a hunger for change. Both of us are passionate about co-creating a solution that will be consumer friendly, improve the overall quality of care and deliver health outcomes that are measurably better than others.
I believe this partnership is a tremendous opportunity to be on the forefront of healthcare delivery innovation and to serve as an example for others around the country.
What this partnership will do
North Memorial Health and Blue Cross will bring expertise from our respective areas – healthcare delivery and healthcare coverage – to build a better consumer experience.
Our partnership will offer more streamlined services — where consumers can receive care in ways that are easier to understand, easier to access and easier to manage. This partnership is multidimensional. We are committed to improving outcomes, maximizing quality and making health care more affordable.
Shaping the future of healthcare in Minnesota
Recently, I sat down with North Memorial CEO Dr. Kevin Croston to discuss this exciting new venture and talk about what it means for the future of healthcare in Minnesota. You can watch a brief video a video of our conversation below.
We also spoke with the Star Tribune about what this means for the Minnesota healthcare market.
Where you can learn more about this joint venture
Details on our announcement can be found at bluecrossmn.com/northmemorial.
You can also find a Q&A with more of my thoughts on why this is so exciting on the Blue Cross MN blog.
I look forward to continuing the conversations I’m having with many of you on how, collectively, all of us can bring about the kind of future for healthcare that we want to see.
Negotiating Value to Drive Healthcare Affordability and Provider Sustainability | Senior Managed Care Leader
5 年Exciting news for Minnesotans and the industry. #moversandshakers #BCBSMN #MinnesotaHealthcare
Regional VP Network Development and Expansion
5 年Working together to identify innovative approaches is the key to success for vertical JV’s in healthcare. Excited to see more healthcare transformation in our state.
Senior Technology Executive | Board Member | Health - We have the best clients and we are moving the needle in Healthcare. Everyday.
5 年Very cool convergence story. Excited to see how this unfolds.
Project Manager | Agile Scrum Master | PM Consultant | Healthcare IT
5 年Let's get all the corporate-speak bullshit out of the way and be more honest about what this means for healthcare delivery in Minnesota. The largest insurance carrier in MN now owns one of the largest hospitals systems in the region. They also own the physicians and clinicians employed by NMH. What are the chances any of the patients of those MDs will ever get referred to a more cost effective clinic or health system outside of NMH?? Pretty much zero. What are the chances NMH will offer competitive rates for services and procedures to health plans outside of BCBSMN? Yep.? Again, pretty much zero. What are the chances the cost of health care services in MN will go down for anyone? (You see where I'm going with this...)? Z E R O. Congrats on your virtual monopoly. You can blah-blah all you want about continuity of care, and value-based-blah-blah-blah, and population health, but everyone in the industry knows this is a market share grab that will simply enhance the already deep pockets of BCBSMN.?
Reducing healthcare spend and improving outcomes to all we serve
5 年If anyone thinks this is being done for the benefit of residents of MN or the patients these two organizations purport to serve, I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.......please message me for details!!