Dive Brief:
- St. Louis-based SSM Health Care is joining Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri in its patient centered care program, Enhanced Personal Health Care.
- In working with Anthem, SSM Health Care will reduce duplicative tests and services by sharing data with Anthem and other participating providers.
- Anthem intends to work with SSM's primary care physicians to improve care for those with multiple chronic conditions.
Dive Insight:
Collaboration between health plans and providers can take many forms, but this seems like a particularly useful form. Focusing on care for patients with multiple chronic illnesses improves the overall wellness of Anthem's population, reducing the cost of caring for this specific group of people, whose care can be quite expensive. This seems like a good idea.