Health plans have launched an initiative in Ohio to make healthcare easier by reducing the time, effort and expense of the paperwork required for each patient visit.
The initiative is designed to simplify information flow between health plans and doctors’ offices and, later, between health plans and hospitals.
Beginning in November, America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association will assess how best to offer physicians access to insurers through an information channel, such as a Web portal.
If the project proves successful, the resulting savings nationwide could be in the hundreds of billions of dollars, experts predict.
“This initiative is a great example of collaboration between key stakeholders to help improve the quality and value of our healthcare system,” said Scott P. Serota, president and CEO of the BCBSA. “Streamlining the administrative process for providers will result in tremendous savings, both in time and resources, and ultimately lead to improved consumer experience.”
Office staff currently spend considerable time and expenses getting the information needed to complete basic requirements for confirming eligibility, billing and referrals.
The initiative announced in Ohio has strong support from local health plans, representing greater than 91 percent of state residents with private health insurance, and statewide physician organizations.
“We applaud the efforts of health plans and providers to continue to work together to reduce administrative expenses in an effective manner, slowing the growth of healthcare costs, which could ultimately make healthcare coverage more affordable for Ohioans,” said Mary Jo Hudson, director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Participating health plans are Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, CIGNA, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, Medical Mutual of Ohio, UnitedHealthcare, WellCare and Health Plans, Inc.
Physician organizations encouraging their members to take part are the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, Ohio Medical, the Group Management Association, the Ohio Osteopathic Association and the Ohio State Medical Association.