RELEASE
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Welcomes Bronson Healthcare Group to Blueprint for Affordability Program
Gabby Abel
| 4 min read
DETROIT, Feb. 5, 2025 – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan today announced a new partnership with Bronson Healthcare Group, Inc. that will focus on improving health care quality, safety and affordability. Bronson is the largest healthcare system to enter a full accountability reimbursement arrangement for its Medicare Advantage PPO and Blue Care Network Medicare Advantage patients.
The Blueprint for Affordability (Blueprint) program is a partnership model that aligns provider incentives, financial accountability and enhanced data and analytics to drive better outcomes for members. In full-accountability agreements, payment is tied to how well physicians manage the overall health and outcomes of their patient populations. Participants agree to take accountability for the quality, experience and total cost of their patients’ care, and they must meet key outcomes and affordability goals. When physicians meet quality and cost goals, they have the opportunity to earn more. When they do not, they are financially responsible for the added expense.
The full-accountability arrangements accelerate Blue Cross’ efforts to evolve reimbursement away from the traditional fee-for-service model, which pays per unit of service and rewards providers based on volume, rather than effectiveness, of the services provided to patients.
“Blue Cross is committed to bringing our members innovative, value-based care models like Blueprint which can help manage the ever-increasing cost of care while delivering savings and improved member satisfaction,” said Todd Van Tol, executive vice president, Health Care Value at Blue Cross at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “We are excited to add Bronson Healthcare Group to our growing list of Blueprint partners. Together, we can work collaboratively to not only improve patient outcomes, but also address the affordability challenges facing our industry.”
Since December 2022, eight of the 25 Blueprint physician organizations have added full-accountability Blueprint agreements for their Medicare Advantage plans. Currently, 70% of Medicare Advantage members and 57% of commercial PPO primary care-engaged members in Michigan receive care from a Blueprint provider.
“We are thrilled to partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, symbolizing a significant step forward in our commitment to enhancing care for our Medicare Advantage patients. This collaboration allows us to leverage innovative care models and proactive management strategies, ensuring that our patients have access to the high-quality, comprehensive and coordinated services they deserve to achieve better health outcomes in our communities," said Paul Fu, MD, MBA, chief clinical officer for Bronson Medical Group.
Blue Cross and provider partners have been pioneering the shift to value-based care in Michigan since 2005. Through its Value Partnerships initiatives, including the nation’s leading Patient-Centered Medical Home program, Blue Cross has saved more than $6.3 billion in medical costs.
For more information, visit BlueprintForAffordability.com.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Blue Cross provides health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies residing outside the state. The company has been committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses, individuals and seniors for more than 80 years. Beyond health care coverage, Blue Cross supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBlueDaily.com.
About Bronson Healthcare
Bronson Healthcare is a not-for-profit, locally governed health system serving southwest and southcentral Michigan. Bronson is the leading healthcare system and largest employer with over 9,300 employees, more than 1,500 medical staff members and 747 licensed beds. With the largest Medical Group in the region, it offers a full range of services including primary and OB care, cancer, cardiovascular, neurosciences, orthopedics, surgery, critical care and post-acute care. The system provides care across 70 locations, including four acute care hospitals in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Paw Paw and South Haven, has the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, children’s hospital and high-risk pregnancy and birthing center in southwest Michigan. Bronson Healthcare is recognized across the state and nationally for exceptional quality care, by Healthgrades, Fortune and PINC AI, and ranked as a top employer by Forbes, Newsweek and the National Association for Business Resources.
