New relationship brings quality, cost-effective care to members in 25 counties
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and Cumberland Center for Healthcare Innovation (CCHI) have finalized a strategic partnership designed to improve health outcomes and lower costs for BlueCross members living in the Cumberland Plateau region between Nashville and Knoxville.
Established in 2012, Cookeville-based CCHI is a physician-driven accountable care organization (ACO) with 54 physicians in 36 practices across 25 counties. CCHI’s physician practices are focused on providing innovative, high-quality care for residents on the Cumberland Plateau and surrounding areas.
“CCHI welcomes this opportunity to partner with BlueCross. Our providers are committed to serving BlueCross members with evidence-based medicine,” said Brent D. Staton, M.D., Chief Executive Officer at CCHI. “We know delivery of high quality, cost-effective health care is beneficial to our patients and communities.”
“As health care continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever for providers and health plans to join forces for the good of patients,” noted Clay Phillips, vice president of network innovations for BlueCross. “Our collaboration with CCHI will give our Cumberland Plateau-area members access to quality medical care at a lower cost.”
As part of the agreement, CCHI providers will participate in all BlueCross networks. BlueCross will work with CCHI to develop health care programs and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of care BlueCross members receive.
Additional BlueCross strategic partners throughout the state include Covenant Health in Knoxville, Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga, Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, Saint Thomas Health in Nashville and the Jackson Clinic in Memphis.
About BlueCross
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s mission is to provide its customers and communities with peace of mind through affordable solutions for health and healing, life and living. Founded in 1945, the Chattanooga-based company is focused on reinventing the health plan for its 3 million members in Tennessee and across the country. Through its integrated health management approach, BlueCross provides patient-centric products and services that drive health improvement and positively impact health care quality and value. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.bcbst.com.