Hawaii Blue Cross Plan Looks to Michigan’s Value Partnerships

Deborah Reinheimer

| 3 min read

In Hawaii, the legend of Mahie refers to a rainbow that transformed into a young woman who became a caretaker to the gods. Mahie symbolizes the power of community to create beauty and transformation. In Michigan, we’ve used the power of community – and partnership – to create transformation in our health care environment. The Value Partnerships programs have enabled statewide improvements in safety, quality and efficiency. And Michigan’s accomplishments are becoming known nationally. Including in Hawaii. So when the Hawaii Medical Service Association (The Blue Cross plan in that state) was developing its Mahie 2020 Summit, they made sure that Dr. David Share was on the invitation list. Mahie 2020 is HMSA’s long-term initiative to transform the health care system into one where all stakeholders work together to create a coordinated system that works for all residents. As part of this effort, HMSA convened an intimate summit where just 15 influential leaders from different phases of the health care value chain gathered to discuss ideas and solutions for health care transformation. “I was honored to be invited,” says Dr. Share, senior vice president of Value Partnerships. “The Value Partnerships team and I had shared information with HMSA leaders over the past two years. They were eager to learn more.” Other summit guests included a medical school dean, two former CMS directors, a state Medicaid director, and one of the architects of the ACA, among others. Dr. Share gave a detailed presentation on the Value Partnerships principles and programs, as part of the program agenda. But most of the summit agenda focused on group discussion and open dialogue among participants. “At the end of the event, participants agreed that there was much to learn from our programs here in Michigan,” says Dr. Share. “Ours is a durable, real-world model that can be replicated in other states. Other attendees noted that.” Dr. Share says that Michigan Blue Cross will continue discussions with HMSA. The Value Partnerships model is workable for Hawaii, as there are many similarities to the health care environment here in Michigan. Both Hawaii and Michigan have a mix of vertically integrated health systems, populations that are concentrated in a few urban areas, and a majority of primary care physicians who are in one or two-physician independent practices. In addition. HMSA has a large market share, as does Blue Cross in Michigan. As for the Mahie 2020 summit, Dr. Share says the intense 18-hour discussion format was enlightening. “There are so many pressures in today’s marketplace to do things the way everyone else does. We see so many interventions and ideas come and go. It was clear that the Value Partnerships programs are built for the long-term. They are partnership oriented. We trust the providers to do the work with us, together.” Photo Credit: Ricardo's Photography

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3 Comments

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Blues Perspectives

Feb 2, 2017 at 2:36am

Hi Anna, thanks for reading our blog and sharing your thoughts with us. We hear your concerns and will help get you in touch with someone to discuss your account. Please provide some information here, http://miblues.co/1Bb6oI4, and we will reach out directly. (Also for your privacy we've removed your contact information from your comment.) Thanks, Taylar

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Rhonda Brown

Feb 1, 2017 at 2:20pm

Maybe we should go there and assist them with understanding how our department works.

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Anna A. Bakos

Jan 27, 2017 at 9:27pm

Here you go again- using verbiage that says little to customers who are reading this email! What do you mean by vertically -integrated health systems? Your customers are a vitally important part of a three-leg stool; speak to them, not to 'insiders! Value partnerships is a way to spread your reach & one I appreciate as a retired professional, however BCBS needs to connect with their customers for feedback about a number of issues that have surfaced since becoming a 'for-profit' company! BCBS will be wise to do some feedback forums throughout Michigan. The MiOpinion panels did not provide a mechanism for serious feedback regarding issues the customer is interested in discussing. The panels serve the company by allowing the company to say they have a survey/feedback process in place to gauge their customer's opinions but it was strongly guided by the particular topic they wanted to address. It did not allow for an open forum of issues, ideals or discussion. I take this opportunity today because I have been trying to converse with administration about my account & the operation of policies currently established. I am not finding cooperation so perhaps these comments will reach someone who will take my concerns seriously.

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