New In-State Premera Designated Center of Excellence for Total Joint Replacements

  • 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. 

    Share this information with your clients using the updated 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 members, employers, and providers.

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