October 6, 2022 – Blue Shield of California recently announced its intent to launch a new value-based payment model. The value-based, shared savings payment model is intended for specialty care physician practices. Services included in the initial program launch include orthopedic, maternity, and gastroenterology services. Blue Shield has intentions to expand to other specialties in the future pending the results of the initial launch.

The innovative model aims to transform how certain specialty care services are delivered. Blue Shield of California will do this by shifting delivery away from fee-for-service to value-based care in an “episode of care” arrangement. The focus of episode of care is to provide coordinated, collaborative care across the healthcare continuum to ensure patients received high-quality care while lowering costs. 

Practices who join the program will have financial incentives via shared savings for improved outcomes for the specialty services they provide. There will be no downside financial risk to the practice, which should incentive providers to join. 

Blue Shield is working to ensure that providers are well-informed. They have published a series of on-demand webinars for providers that can be found here: 

• OB/GYN physicians webinar
• Gastroenterology specialists webinar
• Orthopedic surgeon webinar

Interested physicians can also join live Q&A sessions to have questions answered in real-time:

• Live Virtual Q&A for OB/GYNS, Tuesday, October 25, 1-1:30 p.m.
• Live Virtual Q&A for gastroenterologists, Thursday, October 27, 1-1:30 p.m.
• Live Virtual Q&A for orthopedic surgeons, Thursday, October 27, 2-2:30 p.m.

To request more information, providers can also email carereimagined@blueshieldca.com.