Capital BlueCross, UPMC Pinnacle Offer Increased Access to Providers through CareConnect Insurance Plan Option

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Weekly News -- Capital BlueCross and UPMC Pinnacle announced the CareConnect Gatekeeper PPO insurance plan is now offering members access to more physicians and hospitals than ever before. The expanded network results from UPMC Pinnacle adding Carlisle, Hanover, Lancaster and Lititz hospitals and their related physician practices to its organization. The CareConnect plan connects Capital BlueCross' high-quality benefits and services with the renowned doctors and facilities of UPMC Pinnacle's growing network.

The industry leaders teamed up in 2014 to launch the CareConnect health insurance plan, the first of its kind in the market. Built upon the idea of providing members with quality care at a lower price point, it is centered on UPMC Pinnacle's primary care physician network. Members benefit from lower out-of-pocket costs when using a UPMC Pinnacle primary care physician to coordinate care with all other providers in their network.

"Our priority at Capital BlueCross is to offer our members high-quality benefits and services at the most affordable price," states Gary D. St. Hilaire, president and CEO of Capital BlueCross. "As a community-based health insurer, we strive to provide members with access to care where they feel most comfortable. Through our partnership with UPMC Pinnacle, and its growing network, our CareConnect members now have even more choices within the expanding health system."

CareConnect members can access any physician within the network directly, but receive the most cost savings when coordinating their care through a primary care physician in the network.

"UPMC Pinnacle is dedicated to providing solutions that improve quality and address the growing costs of health care," said Philip W. Guarneschelli, president and CEO, UPMC Pinnacle. "Using the medical home model and the primary care physician relationship to eliminate gaps in care, encourage preventive care and focus on chronic disease management can improve overall health and address the escalating costs associated with poorly managed conditions such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure."

CareConnect is possible through the existing accountable care arrangement between Capital BlueCross and UPMC Pinnacle. Accountable care arrangements are designed to improve care and health outcomes, create a better patient experience, and reduce health care costs. At the model's core is rewarding health care providers for quality of care and patient satisfaction instead of paying by the traditional fee-for-service method, which is based on quantity of services.

Keywords for this news article include: Hospital, Capital BlueCross.

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