Quincy Reporter

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois issued the following announcement on Dec. 11.

Northwestern Medicine (NM) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) are offering consumers expanded access to affordable, high-quality primary and specialty care close to where they live and work. The health system and insurer announced today that BCBSIL members will have access to NM’s network of 10 hospitals, over 4,000 physicians and 200-plus sites across the Chicagoland area.

Beginning January 1, 2020, BCBSIL members participating in the Blue Choice Preferred PPOSM and Medicare Advantage HMO plans will be able to receive in-network services from Northwestern Medicine.

“We know that patients want to receive high-quality, compassionate care, and they want to receive that care close to where they live and work,” said Dean M. Harrison, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “By partnering with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, we are able to bring exceptional patient care to more patients, in more areas of Illinois by offering a network that provides access to all Northwestern Medicine hospitals, affiliated providers and outpatient care centers.”

This multi-year arrangement is part of BCBSIL’s larger vision to continue to enhance affordability, accessibility, and quality of care by maximizing collaborative patient-physician-health plan relationships.

“We are focused on increasing access to providers based on quality and performance indicators” said Steve Hamman, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. “We are a leader in these types of value-based care arrangements and continue to evolve and customize these programs to meet the needs of patients and providers. We’re excited to partner with Northwestern Medicine to bring these value-based benefits to our members.”

Individuals or families can currently purchase some of the enhanced benefits through Get Covered Illinois, the state’s insurance marketplace. These plans will be available until December 15, 2019 for January 1, 2020 coverage. Visit Get Covered Illinois for information about available plans.

Get more information about Northwestern Medicine’s accepted insurance plans.

Original source can be found here.