Elevance Health is teaming with Aledade to work with independent primary-care physicians across the country as they transition from fee-for-service models to value-based care payment.
The partnership between Elevance Health, formerly known as Anthem, and Aledade, a physician enablement company, means independent providers with Elevance Health's affiliated insurance plans will be able to access Aledade's technology and local-in person services to help adopt a value-based model, the companies said.
The deal reflects Elevance Health's plan of partnering with providers and technology companies to help clinicians navigate new payment models. The company, which manages Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in 14 states, has inked a separate deal with rival physician enablement firm Privia Health. Elevance Health's partnership strategy differs from UnitedHealth Group and Humana's strategy to acquire providers and become payviders. Elevance Health's rebrand in May was intended to reflect the company's focus on digital healthcare services.
The deal will expand Aledade's reach to the 47 million members who receive insurance through Elevance Health, the nation's second-largest carrier. Aledade manages care for 1.7 million patients.
Though many primary-care providers want to switch to healthcare reimbursement based on outcomes, they struggle with a lack of funding and resources. Value-based care is a key focus of the healthcare industry, with community health centers trying out a quality outcomes focus, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services encouraging organizations to take on alternative payment models.
The partnership will offer support for independent practices to be able to transfer to value-based payment while still delivering care to patients, with a goal of lowering costs for consumers and improving primary-care health outcomes in communities, according to Dr. Farzad Mostashari, CEO and co-founder of Aledade.
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