By on Friday, May 4, 2012 – 10:20
Date:
May 15, 2012
“Innovative Private Sector Strategies to Curb Health Costs”
Tom Leyden, MBA
Director, Value Partnerships
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Larry Boress
President and CEO
Midwest Business Group on Health
Tuesday, May 15th
10 AM – 11:30 AM
Capitol Visitors Center, Room SVC 212-10
| America’s health system faces high and rising costs and persistent issues related to quality of care. In an effort to stimulate dialogue around solutions to these challenges, the National Coalition on Health Care has launched its NCHC Forums series to showcase the perspectives of health care innovators and thought leaders.NCHC’s May Forum features two private sector leaders who have demonstrated that it is possible to drive down health care costs while improving outcomes.Mr. Leyden will discuss the powerful partnerships that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has forged with hospitals, physicians’ groups, and individual providers throughout his state. Value Partnerships’ nationally recognized efforts to reduce medical errors, promote the highest-quality evidence-supported care, and implement the patient-centered medical home model have yielded real cost savings by focusing on improving quality and outcomes.Mr. Boress will discuss employer efforts to confront the rising cost of diabetes, particularly MBGH’s innovative Take Control of Your Health program, which provides employees diagnosed with diabetes with personalized health coaching from specially trained clinical pharmacists. This program, furnished to regional employers in partnership with the Illinois Pharmacists Association, has helped employees better manage their own health and improve their employers’ bottom line.As policymakers work to keep federal health care programs on a sustainable footing, private sector initiatives like these can help point the way toward a health system we can all afford. |