Independence Blue Cross Agreement with Holy Redeemer Health System Features Innovative Incentive Program

Marks the region's second health system to include IBC's new cost and quality improvement plan in multi-year agreement

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Mar 03, 2011, 02:57 ET

PHILADELPHIA, March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Blue Cross (IBC) and Holy Redeemer Health System announce they have renewed their relationship by signing a three-year contract that features IBC's innovative incentive program, which is designed to improve quality and lower costs. The new multi-year agreement, which took effect February 1, 2011, will continue to provide covered benefits for all of IBC's members at Holy Redeemer points of care.

The agreement with Holy Redeemer Health System includes the commitment to implement a new, enhanced incentive plan that will reward better coordinated, higher quality, and more cost-effective health care. Holy Redeemer becomes the second health system following Jefferson Health System, the region's largest health system, to commit to implement the new plan. IBC calls this new plan the Integrated Provider Performance Incentive Plan (IPPIP). The incentive plan is designed to improve quality and lower cost by encouraging hospitals and physicians to collaborate and integrate their efforts to reduce infections and readmissions, and to ensure evidence based guidelines are followed for the treatment of heart attacks and surgical care.

"We are committed to offering reasonable and competitive reimbursement to our participating hospitals while improving affordability for our members," said Daniel J. Hilferty, IBC's president and CEO. "We're very pleased that Holy Redeemer shares our commitment and dedication to improving the quality, cost, and value of health care that our members and their patients receive, and proud to collaborate on this new and progressive approach to hospital reimbursement through our incentive program. We've enjoyed a strong, long-term relationship with Holy Redeemer and its doctors which has been reinforced by our new agreement."

"Holy Redeemer has embarked upon and has been recognized for numerous safety and quality programs, and those accomplishments set the stage for participation in IBC's IPPIP plan," said Michael B. Laign, president and CEO of Holy Redeemer Health System. "Because the health system has earned accreditations and certifications for its breast health program, cancer services, frail elderly program, orthopedic services, and stroke center -- to name a few -- and because of our ongoing efforts to maintain a culture of safety and high performance, we are well positioned to be a leader in provider performance incentive plans."

Holy Redeemer Health System

Holy Redeemer Health System, with corporate offices in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, is a major provider of HealthCare and LifeCare services to residents of Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks counties. In addition to its Hospital, Holy Redeemer is also the largest nonprofit provider of HomeCare services -- including home health care and hospice in New Jersey. The system was founded by the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.3 million people. For more than 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross's HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

SOURCE Independence Blue Cross