Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems is taking a bet on a new partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine that seeks to improve care for patients while reducing costs.
The Bangor Daily News reported that EMHS Beacon Health — an EMHS-led coalition that includes 15 hospitals and 405 primary care practices from across Maine — has agreed to not increase the cost of services for Anthem’s 40,000 policyholders, which could cost EMHS millions if things don’t work as planned. Anthem is Maine’s largest health insurer.
However, the newspaper said, EMHS is hoping to make significant savings with the plan because of its implementation of an “accountable care organization,” which will help EMHS and its partners to keep track of Anthem’s 40,000 policyholders’ health and make sure they are receiving preventive care services that could ultimately help EMHS partners save money.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the number of hospitals and practices that belong to EMHS. The story has been updated to clarify that those hospitals and practices belong to EMHS Beacon Health, an EMHS-led coalition.
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