In collaboration with Harvard Medical School Department of Healthcare Policy Innovative Healthcare P

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In collaboration with Harvard Medical School
Department of Healthcare PolicyInnovative
Healthcare Programs Promoting Health and
Wellness  October 6, 2008
V05-08-326
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BlueWorks

• Bruce Landon, MD, MBA, MSc
• Associate Professor of Health Care Policy and
  Medicine
• Harvard Medical School

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Why BlueWorks is Important

• Dominant forces at play in all markets
• Weaknesses in quality of care
• Disparities in care
• Rising costs of care
• The uninsured
• No clear solutions at the national level
• Local market innovations are needed to drive
  change

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Local Innovation

• Healthcare in the U.S. is improved by bottom up
  approach
• Local leaders within Blue Cross and Blue Shield
  Plans are able to work with providers and
  patients to develop new approaches to improving
  quality, cost and access
• Local markets are ideal for initial dissemination
  (local pride) that can then be expanded
  nationally

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The Blues are the Ideal Incubators

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Harvard Medical School Approach
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Criteria for Awards

• Primary Criteria
• Innovation
• Adequate experimental design
• Proof of efficacy
• Potential for portability and acceptance after
  dissemination
• Secondary Criteria business case

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HMS Observations

• After four years of BlueWorks, we have selected
  45 winners. Selected programs have
• Demonstrated leadership and creativity
• Diversity of challenges and solutions
• Innovations from all parts of the country
• Dealt with common obstacles to delivering
  high-quality care
• Shown potential for nationwide, evidence-based
  changes in healthcare delivery

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• THANK YOU
• For more information
• Visit www.bcbs.com
• Contact Paul Cholette, 312-297-5954,
  paul.cholette_at_bcbsa.com