Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Michigan-American Society Of Clinical Oncology Initiative To Reduce Costs, Improve Patient Care

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 12 Aug 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the American Society of Clinical Oncology are collaborating to collect and analyze treatment information on tens of thousands of people with cancer in Michigan in an effort to improve care and reduce costs, the Detroit News reports. According to BCBS officials, similar initiatives have reduced hospital deaths and saved millions of dollars in unnecessary medical expenses. The effort also is a way for the insurer to become more involved in the delivery of care, according to the News. Thomas Simmer, BCBS' senior vice president and chief medical officer, said, "Its main focus is on quality, but we recognize that we may save some costs for customers."

For the initiative, the groups will collect data from 11 oncology practices in Michigan that account for 180 physicians treating 16,000 patients annually. The data will be entered into ASCO's national registry, which includes information about a number of aspects of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy-related side effects and pain management, from 25,000 cancer professionals at about 385 oncology practices.

Physicians who provide data will receive $3,000 apiece. BCBS says it plans to spend approximately $500,000 this year on the project. According to ASCO CEO Allen Lichter, BCBS is the first insurer to help its physicians offset the costs of collecting and compiling treatment information. According to BCBS spokesperson Helen Stojic, although data collection began in May, the insurer will not know what the exact savings are for about 18 months, although preliminary results will be available in September.

According to Douglas Blayney, medical director of the University of Michigan's Comprehensive Cancer Center and president-elect of ASCO, the project will give physicians in the state a more accurate way to compare their treatments to physicians nationwide, which could improve treatment effectiveness. He said, "This program should help every oncologist measure the quality of the product they are providing" (Rogers, Detroit News, 8/8).

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