General News
Published March 15, 2022
Rising medical costs and wide
variability in both cost and quality between providers is increasing market
demand to drive members to high value (high quality and cost efficient) care.
That’s why Premera added Premera-Designated Centers of Excellence (PDCOE) to
our Elective Procedure Travel Benefit. PDCOE is a way for us to recognize
select facilities for higher efficiency and better patient outcomes in the
delivery of specialty care. We’ve further maximized savings by securing
contracted bundle pricing built on clinical best practices. It is one of the
ways Premera is responding to market demands and leveraging our integrated
purchasing strategy on behalf of our customers.
Through a joint venture
with local surgeons, Providence Alaska provides ambulatory surgery services at
Creekside Surgery Center in Anchorage. Through this new partnership, we’re able
to deliver bundled pricing for Alaska members who want to stay in state for
Total Joint Replacements for dates of service February 1, 2022, and beyond.
We will continue to partner
with Virginia Mason in Seattle to deliver bundled pricing for Alaska members
who choose to travel out of state for Total Joint Replacements, certain Spinal
Surgeries and Gynecological procedures. Both PDCOE options yield significant
cost savings.
Want to know more? Check out the Alaska Medical Transportation Benefit Overview
brochure.
Questions?
Contact
your Premera representative to learn more about Premera-Designated Centers of
Excellence and how our approach combines quality, cost, and volume to optimize
care for our employers and members.