LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blue Shield of California today announced an important step to bring health care into the digital age. Beginning this year, it will require network providers, including those participating in the nonprofit health plan’s nationally recognized Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program, to agree to participate in Manifest MedEx, the largest nonprofit health information network that is creating comprehensive, real-time digital health records for all Californians.
Manifest MedEx facilitates the secure exchange of 11 million patient claims records and 5 million patient clinical records for over 200 participating partners. Manifest MedEx supports physicians, nurses, hospitals and health plans in sharing critical health information to ensure that patients receive safe, high-quality care.
Blue Shield’s decision aligns with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ announcement today that outlines steps to increase the interoperability, portability and availability of medical data. These efforts should empower patients, improve care and lower health care costs.
“Manifest MedEx delivers real-time, comprehensive health care data to providers and payers on a secure, open platform. It is a crucial prerequisite to transforming our fragmented health care system,” said Paul Markovich, Blue Shield of California’s president and CEO. “This is part of our commitment to provide health care that is worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable. We encourage others to get on board.”
“Providers have made enormous investments in technology and infrastructure,” Markovich added. “These investments will be even more valuable when the data they collect is shared and combined with other health information to create a comprehensive patient record that helps improve the quality of care.”
Blue Shield is asking its ACO providers to sign a participation agreement with Manifest MedEx by Aug. 31, 2018 and other network providers to do so as a part of their next contract renewal. It plans to work closely with all its providers to complete the implementation in the optimal time and manner.
“Manifest MedEx delivers the information that helps hospitals, medical groups and ACOs do the hard work of improving care coordination, reducing inefficiencies, addressing gaps in care and enhancing the patient experience,” said Claudia Williams, CEO of Manifest MedEx. “Manifest MedEx gets you the information you need, in the formats you need, when you need it. We break down silos, so California providers can focus on what they do best: improving health care, not assembling data.”
Created through collaboration among California’s leading providers and health plans, Manifest MedEx makes it easier for doctors, hospitals and other care providers to securely review, analyze and share medical information across the health care system.
Background on Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a nonprofit health plan with 4 million members, 6,800 employees and more than $17 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare health care service plans in California. The company’s mission is to ensure all Californians have access to high-quality care at an affordable price. Blue Shield has contributed more than $500 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation since 2002. Contact your local agent or broker about Blue Shield of California products and services, or visit www.blueshieldca.com.
Background on Manifest MedEx
Manifest MedEx is tackling one of health care’s hardest and most fundamental problems. A problem that has to be fixed before hospitals, health plans, and physicians can do the hard work to reduce costs, increase patient satisfaction and improve outcomes. We’ve built a nonprofit utility that gets health information out of silos. Our network is facilitating the secure exchange of real-time information for millions of patients across California. Learn more at www.manifestmedex.org.
