Springfield Clinic deploys health plans that give patients access to doctors within their network.
The move follows last year’s dispute with Illinois’ Blue Cross Blue Shield, forcing at least 55,000 customers to find new providers.
This is the first time Springfield Clinic has offered such a plan in its 80+ year history.
Zach Kirker, vice president of brand experience and advocacy at Springfield Clinic, said:
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health plan and website On sale this week.
Called “Springfield Clinic Advantage,” the service is available to employers with 10 or more employees in central Illinois and includes all Springfield Clinic providers. The plan also provides Tier 1 access to a nationwide network of hospitals and health care providers through the country’s insurers. health link.
Carker said the adoption of the plan was not a special reaction to the Blue Cross situation.
“We hear from employers and patients who want a more direct relationship with Springfield Clinic,” he added. “This plan provides that. Guaranteed that you will never be out of network with Springfield Clinic physicians. It was developed locally by people who understand the medical needs of patients in central Illinois. Ultimately, it’s just another way for patients to access.Many patients feel there’s a barrier to doctors these days, and this allows them to get back to the door. .”
Springfield Clinic partnered with Consociate Health Decatur to develop the plan.
Darren Reynolds, CEO of Consociate Health, says many traditional health insurance plans limit patients’ ability to make health care decisions.
When a person requires a colonoscopy, the team works with that person to make the procedure quick, safe, and most cost-effective.
“Many procedures are much less expensive in an ambulatory surgery center than in a hospital, so patients need to know this in advance,” Reynolds said.
At least 55,000 Blue Cross customers had to find new doctors or submit ongoing treatment requests to Blue Cross because of the Springfield Clinic closure, but Springfield Clinic officials said that number would be reduced to two. I am doubling it.
Kerker said Springfield Clinic’s numbers are from all patients who have received any service and had a blue cross in the past three years.
Blue Cross was fined $339,000 for violating the 2017 state law, the Network Adequacy and Transparency Act.
To contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, [email protected], twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
