COMMACK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The IPA of Nassau/Suffolk Counties (IPANS), a not for profit, physician-led Independent Physician Association (IPA) based on Long Island, and Empire BlueCross BlueShield announced they will continue and expand their work under Empire’s value-based payment program. Additionally, IPANS announced an agreement to receive physician enablement capabilities from a separate company providing services on behalf of Empire, the first such agreement in New York state.
“Combined, IPANS continued participation in Empire’s value-based care program and these new physician enablement services will optimize our ability to improve patient health and reduce the cost of care,” said John L. Franco, MD, President of IPANS. “This agreement means unsurpassed care for patients treated by our independent physicians as we continue to deliver the right care at the right place at the right time.”
Physician enablement services involves the delivery of tools, expertise and processes to help doctors close care gaps, like making sure that doctors are adhering to best practices for diabetic testing and reaching out to patients who are overdue for immunizations or prescription refills.
The enablement services agreement comes as IPANS enters its third year of participation in Empire’s value-based care program, called Enhanced Personal Health Care, that’s aimed at strengthening the relationship between the primary care physicians and patients. Doctors who participate in Enhanced Personal Health Care work with Empire to use claims data to recognize and address emergency room utilization and proactively manage high-risk patients to maintain a patient-centered model of care.
“Members expect their health plan and providers to use advanced analytics and better communication to provide access to quality care at an affordable price,” said Larry Schreiber, president and CEO, Empire BlueCross BlueShield. Empire is committed to sharing insights and empowering doctors to deliver more coordinated care.”
Michael Guarino, Executive Director of IPANS states, “As our physicians continue to lead the way in this ever-changing healthcare system we are extremely pleased to have this working relationship with Empire.”
About IPA of Nassau/Suffolk Counties
Founded in 2011 by a small group of healthcare professionals, the IPA of Nassau/Suffolk Counties (IPANS) is one of the fastest growing and largest multi-specialty Independent Physician Associations with over 1000 practitioners on and around Long Island and Westchester, New York. IPANS is a non-exclusive, not for profit physician led IPA focused on helping independent and community based hospital physicians remain independent, while staying on the frontline of healthcare. IPANS is managed by Practice Management of America (PMA) a managed service organization. PMA specializes in Payor negotiation and collaboration, analysis of practice data, compliance with quality measures for our shared savings programs as well as group purchasing benefits and practice management assistance, while reducing administrative costs. Additional information about IPANS is available at www.ipasuffolk.com.
About Empire BlueCross BlueShield
Serving New Yorkers for 80 years, Empire BlueCross BlueShield is the largest health insurer in New York supporting more than four million members and more than 38,000 business, union and small employers in New York. Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at @empirebcbs.