Press Releases

Altarum Introduces Bridges to Excellence® Maternity Care Recognition Program

ANN ARBOR, MI – Februrary 21, 2019 –  Altarum today launched a Maternity Care Recognition Program that enables clinicians to be rewarded for delivering high-value maternity care to their patients. The program is part of Bridges to Excellence®, an initiative to improve quality of clinical care through measurement and recognition programs for the treatment of common chronic and other medical conditions.

Over 60,000 physicians have been recognized through Bridges to Excellence, and have earned the following benefits:

  • Improvement Activity points to apply toward MIPS scores.

  • Monetary awards and recognition by participating health plans, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, United Healthcare, and Wellcare.

  • Recognition on the INQUIREhealth® website, a directory of high-performing providers used by consumers.

  • Real-time insight into areas for improvement through the Bridges to Excellence web portal.

Health plan administrators benefit from Bridges to Excellence by gaining access to a tool that helps them identify and incentivize high-performing providers in over 30 states.

Participation in Bridges to Excellence is easy and free of charge for providers. Clinicians voluntarily submit medical record data documenting their care through one of our certified EHR vendors or through the Bridges to Excellence online portal.

For the Maternity Care Recognition Program, OBGYN physicians as well as other providers who deliver maternity care, including primary care physicians and family physicians, are eligible to participate. Bridges to Excellence also offers recognition programs for asthma, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, diabetes, heart failure, hypertension, and inflammatory bowel disease.

All Bridges to Excellence programs are based on a set of evidence-based clinical measures that promote a model of care that includes a comprehensive patient assessment and appropriate and timely provision of services, patient education and engagement, and shared decision making.

If you are a provider or health plan interested in participating in Bridges to Excellence to improve outcomes, ensure quality of care, and control costs, please visit www.bridgestoexcellence.org or contact Marcela Reyes at [email protected]..

About Altarum
Altarum is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a better, more sustainable future through ideas and action that transform health and health care in America. Learn more at Altarum.org.

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Colorado Providers Recognized by Bridges to Excellence Demonstrate Superior Cost and Quality

ANN ARBOR, MI – August 24, 2018 – A recent analysis by the nonprofit research and consulting group Altarum found that Colorado health care providers recognized by the Bridges to Excellence (BTE) Program have lower average total episode costs and lower probability of experiencing a potentially avoidable complication (PAC) for three costly and prevalent chronic conditions.

The study compared BTE-recognized providers to other providers on metrics of cost and quality of care for diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. Metrics were calculated based on the PROMETHEUS Analytics episode of care definitions. BTE-recognized providers managed the costs of their patient’s episode better than their peers: 24.2% lower for hypertension care, 15.8% lower for diabetes care, and 10.9% lower for coronary artery disease care. And, fewer patients of BTE-recognized providers experienced complications. The probability of experiencing a PAC was 5.2% lower among hypertension patients and 4.7% lower among diabetes patients.

“Chronic conditions are on the rise. It is imperative that we find ways to improve patient outcomes while reducing costs and providing a positive patient experience,” says Greg Matthews, deputy director of Altarum’s Center for Value in Health Care. “Bridges to Excellence recognizes providers of exceptional care, and this new study provides evidence that they also reduce costs—effectively achieving two important pillars of the Triple Aim.”

Altarum’s Bridges to Excellence Program has been recognizing clinicians who deliver superior care for patients with chronic conditions—including asthma, cardiac care, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, diabetes, heart failure, hypertension and inflammatory bowel disease—for more than 15 years. The program assesses clinicians on performance including patient assessment and reassessment, patient education, and shared decision making, and recognizes providers who outperform their peers on a five star scale. Clinicians that meet the performance benchmarks are widely recognized on a number of payer websites and private sector transparency tools.

About Altarum
Altarum is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a better, more sustainable future through ideas and action that transform health and health care in America. Learn more at Altarum.org.

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Meridios First EMR Vendor to Achieve Bridges to Excellence Recognition Across All Programs

Only EMR vendor certified by HCI3 as data aggregator for all BTE programs: asthma, coronary artery disease, cardiac care, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and hypertension

NEWTOWN, CT – October 9, 2015 – Software developer Meridios has received certification as a data aggregator for Bridges to Excellence (BTE) from the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute (HCI3), a non-profit group that promotes the use of evidence-based incentive programs and payment reform.

“There continues to be a prevailing myth that meaningful data cannot be systematically extracted from EMR systems to create comprehensive quality dashboards for clinicians,” says Francois de Brantes, Executive Director of HCI3. “Meridios' efforts prove the myth wrong.”

Meridios is the first electronic medical records organization approved by HCI3 to become a data aggregator, the conduit through which clinician medical record data is passed to performance assessment organizations for scoring to assess whether clinicians should be recognized. Meridios has met HCI3’s requirements and now works with customers who submit their data for a performance assessment for scoring using the BTE Recognition Care program criteria. The scoring results are then communicated back to the clinicians and practices. This automated performance assessment process allows for rapid and independent medical record-based clinician performance evaluations by connecting electronic medical record data sources or data aggregators to a network of performance assessment organizations.

BTE works with Meridios to facilitate clinician performance assessment in order to: reduce the reporting burden for clinicians; leverage existing reporting/data aggregation initiatives; reduce data collection and reporting costs; facilitate the connection between quality improvement and incentives; and speed up cycle times between reporting and quality improvement.

“These data aggregation programs are instrumental to helping health care providers bridge the gap between perception and reality,” says Patrick Clark, CEO of Meridios. “Our team is really excited and proud to work with HCI3 on programs like these. HCI3 continues to prove they are leaders in this space.”

Bridges to Excellence Clinician Recognition programs are intended to identify clinicians who deliver high-value care to patients with specific chronic conditions. The programs each comprise a set of clinical measures representing standards of care for patients with these conditions. Programs include:

  • Asthma care

  • Cardiac care in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology

  • Congestive heart failure care

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease care

  • Coronary artery disease care

  • Depression care

  • Diabetes care

  • Hypertension care

  • Inflammatory bowel disease care in collaboration with the American Gastroenterological Association

  • Physician Office System

  • BTE Medical Home

Health IT Week
The BTE Recognitions are an important aspect of health information technology and part of the process that improves the quality of health care delivery, increases patient safety, decreases medical errors, and strengthens the interaction between patients and health care providers.

To mark the important role health information technology plays in improving health care delivery in America, HCI3 has joined others across the U.S. to celebrate National Health Information Technology (NHIT) Week.

About Meridios
Meridios, Ltd is a software development company specializing in a health care quality tracking application with the ability to perform CMS registry reporting. Reporting is performed via an automated process by extracting required data directly from electronic medical record (EMR) systems. healthMATRIX® can provide the benefit of increased accuracy. A fragmented health care system leaves a gap in the capture and reporting of clinical data. Meridios seeks to bridge that gap.

About Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, Inc.
Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, Inc. (HCI3®) is a not-for-profit organization that aims to create significant improvements in the quality and affordability of health care through evidence-based incentive programs and support of payment reform models. It is the umbrella organization for the Bridges to Excellence® program and PROMETHEUS Payment® model, as well the creator of episode of care, or Evidence-informed Case Rates (ECRs), definitions and the PROMETHEUS Analytics. Through these components, HCI3 offers a comprehensive package of solutions to employers, health plans and coalitions to improve the flawed incentives that currently permeate the U.S. health care system.

Team Care for the 21st Century

What’s Worse, Potentially Avoidable Complications or Overused Low-Value Services?

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Superior HealthPlan to First Texas Medicaid Plan to Reward Clinicians for Excellence in Diabetes Care

HCI3’s Bridges to Excellence recognition program rewards clinicians who provide quality care to help patients manage chronic conditions

AUSTIN, TEXAS – AUGUST 5, 2014 – To improve care for Texans with diabetes, Superior HealthPlan is partnering with the non-profit Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute’s (HCI3) Bridges to Excellence (BTE) program. BTE is the nation’s most extensive effort to recognize and reward high-performing clinicians, improve patient health and reduce the cost of care. The program will address specific goals and standards for quality care for diabetes with about 1,160 clinicians treating more than 2,600 members with this chronic condition.

Superior HealthPlan provides health care for more than 900,000 Texans enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare and the new Health Insurance Marketplace.

“Paramount to Superior is ensuring that our members receive the highest standard of care,” said David Harmon, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Superior HealthPlan. “By participating in Bridges to Excellence, we hope to further encourage exemplary service from our network of doctors while also recognizing them for the excellent care they provide.”

BTE is a clinician recognition program designed to measure the quality of care delivered with a focus on managing patients with chronic conditions. BTE has recognition programs for health care professionals who work with asthma, cardiac, chronic heart failure, cardiology, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, diabetes, hypertension and spine, as well as physician office and medical home management. Each program has three levels of recognition (I, II and III) with each indicating a different performance level.

“Improving the management of patients with chronic conditions and the reduction of complications is a national imperative,” said Jessica DiLorenzo, HCI3 Program Implementation Leader. “We commend Superior’s commitment to significantly improving the quality of health care and recognizing the efforts of clinicians who are delivering that high-quality care to patients in Texas.”

According to the Texas Health Institute, diabetes affects one in three Texans and costs the state more than $12.5 billion a year. The number of adult Texans with diabetes is expected to quadruple over the next three decades to nearly 8 million.

Superior HealthPlan providers who have an open panel and who are BTE recognized for diabetes will be eligible for the incentive program paying a per-member, per year bonus that will range from $100-150, depending on the recognition level.

About Superior HealthPlan
Austin-based Superior HealthPlan (Superior) is a managed care company that employs more than 1,400 people across 10 Texas offices. Superior is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise offering both core Medicaid and specialty services. Superior is licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance and is a Qualified Health Plan issuer in the Texas Health Insurance Marketplace. More information on Superior can be found at www.SuperiorHealthPlan.com.

About Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, Inc.
Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, Inc. (HCI3®) is a non-profit multi-stakeholder umbrella organization for Bridges to Excellence® and PROMETHEUS Payment®. The mission of the organization is to create significant improvements in the quality and affordability of health care by developing and implementing programs that recognize and reward clinicians, hospitals and other health care providers that deliver safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and patient-centered care. HCI3 offers a comprehensive package of solutions to employers, health plans and coalitions to improve the flawed incentives that currently permeate the U.S. health care system.

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico Launches Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Programs

Bridges to Excellence recognizes physicians who deliver superior care

Media Contact:
Becky Kenny
505-816-2012 or 505-999-8806
[email protected]

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—November 9, 2011—Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) announced the implementation of Bridges to Excellence® (BTE), a physician recognition and reward program that will focus on diabetes and cardiovascular disease care. The goal is to improve the care provided to patients and to reward BCBSNM network physicians for providing exceptional care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes affects an estimated 24 million Americans, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting 81 million Americans and costing $316 billion annually.

“Our focus on diabetes and cardiovascular disease for our BTE program is due to the growing prevalence of these chronic conditions,” said Matthew Fontana, vice president and chief medical officer, BCBSNM. “We invite physicians in New Mexico who treat these patients to become BTE-recognized. BTE has proven to be an effective, tested program and is just one of the strategies we are implementing to improve the health and well-being of our members.”

Managed by the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute® (HCI3®), BTE is a program designed to create significant progress in quality of care by recognizing and rewarding physicians who demonstrate exceptional care that meets established guidelines.

The program will kick off in New Mexico with two recognized physicians. These programs are part of the company’s commitment to helping the quality of medical care delivery overall as well as the health and wellness of BCBSNM members and the company’s focus on better management of chronic disease.

“We congratulate BCBSNM on its success in implementing BTE in New Mexico,” said Francois de Brantes, executive director for HCI3. “BTE programs have a well-published evidence base of effectiveness in promoting better quality of care. Studies have shown that BTE-recognized physicians in diabetes and cardiac care also decrease episode costs of care by reducing costs of potentially avoidable complications. By implementing these programs in New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield is showing the type of leadership that makes a difference in the quality and affordability of health care in America.”

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico
With 303,000 members and serving another 63,000 New Mexicans through the nationwide BlueCard® Program, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is the largest commercial membership health insurer in New Mexico. Since 1940, BCBSNM has been committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care. BCBSNM is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, Inc.
The Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, Inc. (HCI3) is a not-for-profit multi-stakeholder umbrella organization for Bridges to Excellence and PROMETHEUS Payment®. The mission of the organization is to create significant improvements in the quality and affordability of health care by developing and implementing programs that recognize and reward physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers that deliver safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care. HCI3 offers a comprehensive package of solutions to employers, health plans and coalitions to improve the flawed incentives that currently permeate the U.S. health care system. www.HCI3.org

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma Launches Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Programs

Bridges to Excellence recognizes physicians who deliver superior care

Media Contact: Nicole Amend
(918) 551-3339

Tulsa, OK—November 9, 2011—Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) recently launched the Bridges to Excellence® program, a physician recognition and reward program that will focus on diabetes and cardiovascular disease care. The goal is to improve the care provided to patients and to reward BCBSOK network physicians for providing exceptional care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes affects an estimated 24 million Americans, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting 81 million Americans, and costing $316 billion annually.

“We have seen an increase in diabetes and cardiovascular disease in our state and the Bridges to Excellence program is one tool we can use to mitigate that trend,” said Joseph Cunningham, chief medical officer and vice president of health care management for BCBSOK. “By partnering with physicians in Oklahoma who treat these patients to adhere to the Bridges to Excellence standards, we can offer an effective, tested program to improve the health and well-being of our members.”

Managed by the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute® (HCI3®), Bridges to Excellence is a program designed to create significant progress in quality of care by recognizing and rewarding physicians who demonstrate exceptional care that meets established guidelines.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is the state's oldest and largest insurer, providing coverage to Oklahomans for more than 70 years. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve company, an independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, Inc.
The Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute, Inc. (HCI3) is a not-for-profit multi-stakeholder umbrella organization for Bridges to Excellence and PROMETHEUS Payment®. The mission of the organization is to create significant improvements in the quality and affordability of health care by developing and implementing programs that recognize and reward physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers that deliver safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care. HCI3 offers a comprehensive package of solutions to employers, health plans and coalitions to improve the flawed incentives that currently permeate the U.S. health care system. www.HCI3.org.
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