LEWISTON – Regence BlueShield of Idaho (Regence) and Valley Medical Center, PLLC are pleased to announce an important new program to improve the care provided to Regence members in the Lewiston area. The first-of-its-kind agreement in northern Idaho advances the goals of better health for patients, improved care experience and lowered costs through an aligned Total Cost of Care (TCC) incentive model.
The new TCC program empowers the physicians with medical cost and quality information and increases accountability for quality outcomes. TCC includes a shared savings arrangement tied to physicians achieving specific quality metrics and a reduced cost trend.
“It’s exciting to be on the leading edge of health care transformation. This practice has a 30-year history of pursuing new ideas and approaches for the benefit of our patients, and we view this as a natural next step,” said David Schlactus, CEO of Valley Medical Center.
“Working together, Regence and Valley Medical Center can help enhance the dynamic health care system through innovative collaborative care programs such as this new model,” said Richard Rainey, M.D., executive medical director for Regence BlueShield of Idaho.
“Valley Medical Center has long been known for its tireless efforts to improve care for their patients while lowering health care costs for the community,” said Scott Kreiling, president of Regence BlueShield of Idaho. “It’s been a terrific experience for us to be able to collaborate with the Valley Medical team on this program, and I think it’s fair to say that everyone involved looks forward to furthering the goals of better health, better care and lower costs for the practice’s patients in Lewiston and the surrounding region.”
The agreement with Valley Medical Center is the second of its type to be announced in Idaho this year. In April, a similar pact was announced between Regence and SELECT Medical Network IPA, located in southwestern Idaho. The TCC program operates within the statewide PPO network and does not restrict members in any way. Regence has established 48 programs of this type with doctors and hospitals throughout the broader Northwest region.
About Regence BlueShield of Idaho
Regence BlueShield of Idaho, based in Lewiston, has been serving Idahoans for nearly 70 years and now provides more than 151,000 members with comprehensive health insurance solutions. As a nonprofit mutual insurance company and independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers in Idaho and nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit regence.com, facebook.com/regenceblueshieldofidaho or twitter.com/regenceidaho.
About Valley Medical Center, PLLC
Valley Medical Center PLLC, with offices in Lewiston, Idaho, and Clarkston, Washington, is the most comprehensive multi-specialty physician practice between Spokane, Washington, and Boise, Idaho. Its care staff consists of healthcare professionals in over ten fields, including Internal Medicine (Adult Primary Care), Family Practice, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics/Adolescent Medicine, General Surgery, Foot & Ankle Surgery, Dermatology, Rheumatology, Neurology, Aviation Medicine, Urgent-Care Medicine, Behavioral/Mental Health, Occupational Health, Weight Management and Radiology. Its mission is to provide superior comprehensive health care with outstanding customer sensitivity.