<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" ><channel><atom:link href="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/health-care-costs-rss.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross</link><language>en-us</language><pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate><title>health care costs</title><description /><copyright>Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina</copyright><generator>iPressroom.com</generator><item><title>BCBSNC and Wilmington Health Launch Quality Program for Oncology</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-and-wilmington-health-launch-245955.aspx?link_page_rss=245955</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-and-wilmington-health-launch-245955.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“This is a heartening example of the medical community and an insurance company working collaboratively so that patients benefit from the best possible treatment plans for cancer care,” said Don Bradley, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer for BCBSNC.  “Plans like these can minimize testing and treatments that lack proven medical benefit, improve patients’ experience with the health care system, and in turn reduce medical costs for patients.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=706002" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>81 North Carolina Businesses Compete and Lose 13,805 Pounds</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/81-north-carolina-businesses-compete-245879.aspx?link_page_rss=245879</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/81-north-carolina-businesses-compete-245879.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“North Carolina businesses have shown their commitment to providing their employees with the support and tools to get fit,” said Sean Kerns, BCBSNC vice president of Specialty Markets. “Through the Get Fit Challenge, employees worked as a team to improve their fitness levels, get healthy and lose almost seven tons of weight. This effort has jump started new behaviors and habits that will help employees improve their quality of life and reduce their health care spending over time.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=705916" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 18:15:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Under Affordable Care Act, Two-Thirds of BCBSNC’s Individual Customers Expected to See Rate Increases in Line with Recent Years or Decreases; One-Third to See Larger Increases</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/ACA-Impact.aspx?link_page_rss=245795</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/ACA-Impact.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“Beginning next year, individuals who buy their own health insurance will feel a wide variety of
impacts as new components of the ACA take full effect,” said Patrick Getzen, BCBSNC vice
president and chief actuary. “The ACA expands access to coverage and increases benefits. This is
a good goal, but it comes with a cost. Subsidies will offset the higher cost of premiums for some
of our customers, but more sick people in the insurance pool, more benefits, and new taxes and
fees will drive rates up.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=705842" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 17:30:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC and Cornerstone Health Care enhance patient experience, improve health through ACO</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-and-cornerstone-health-245325.aspx?link_page_rss=245325</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-and-cornerstone-health-245325.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“Working with Cornerstone gives us the opportunity to build on a model of care that provides better coordination and health outcomes for our customers,” said Lisa Cade, vice president of network management at BCBSNC.  “With this new initiative, we’ll continue to take what we’ve learned from the medical home model a few steps further to improve the health of patients with chronic health issues or significant health risks.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=705390" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:21:46 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC Adds Customers, Invests to Prepare for Health Care Reform</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-adds-customers-invests-243883.aspx?link_page_rss=243883</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-adds-customers-invests-243883.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“2012 was a year of focus on the future and the full implementation of health reform,” said Brad Wilson BCBSNC president and CEO. “We are making investments today to ensure we can meet North Carolinians’ health care needs tomorrow.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=703953" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:56:30 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC Challenges North Carolina Businesses to Get Fit in 2013</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-challenges-north-carolina-242505.aspx?link_page_rss=242505</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-challenges-north-carolina-242505.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“BCBSNC is committed to finding new ways to rein in medical costs and make health care more affordable,” said Sean Kerns, vice president of Specialty Markets. “Businesses face the challenge of rising health care costs on a daily basis. Our Get Fit Challenge is a way to spark a little healthy competition within the business community and help companies introduce a new wellness option that can help reduce medical spending.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=702353" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:41:21 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>DOI Hearing Officer Rules in BCBSNC’s Favor on Radiology Double Billing Issue</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/doi-hearing-officer-rules-in-bcbsnc-240975.aspx?link_page_rss=240975</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/doi-hearing-officer-rules-in-bcbsnc-240975.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“This decision is a win for our customers – who will save $16 million a year in wasteful charges – and it’s a win for North Carolina,” said BCBSNC CEO Brad Wilson. “This will protect consumers and our customers from unreasonable charges.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=700807" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:02:58 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Health Innovation Challenge Winners Earn $20,000 to Implement Obesity-Fighting Ideas Statewide</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/health-innovation-challenge-winners-239054.aspx?link_page_rss=239054</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/health-innovation-challenge-winners-239054.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[
IN-R-FOOD, The Walking Classroom and Sqord were chosen from 11 finalists to further develop their original, innovative ideas to reduce obesity in North Carolina.
Winners will receive $20,000 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. All 11... <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=698607" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC and Key Physicians Team Up to Create a Better Patient Experience</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-and-key-physicians-team-237781.aspx?link_page_rss=237781</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-and-key-physicians-team-237781.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[New ACO will improve health care quality and lower costs for Wake County patients

 
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. &ndash; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and Key Physicians (Key), an independent, nationally accredited... <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=697144" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC Files Rate Request for 2013 for Individual Customers</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-files-rate-request-for-237213.aspx?link_page_rss=237213</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-files-rate-request-for-237213.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“The premium rate increase for individual products reflects the past year’s increase of the underlying cost of health care services and growth in certain procedures,” said BCBSNC Chief Actuary Patrick Getzen. <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=696500" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:00:53 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC and Wilmington Health Launch ACO to Benefit Southeastern North Carolina Patients</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-and-wilmington-health-launch-236594.aspx?link_page_rss=236594</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-and-wilmington-health-launch-236594.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“We’re on our way to a health care system in North Carolina that rewards doctors and hospitals for quality, not quantity of services. Organizations like these are an important step as we continue down this path.” said Dr. Don Bradley, BCBSNC chief medical officer. “Wilmington Health has already shown leadership in improving quality through collaboration and teamwork. Together we can achieve our shared goals of improving efficiency and health outcomes while ultimately lowering health care costs for our customers.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=695757" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:30:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC, SAS harness the power of analytics to improve health outcomes, personalize health plans</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-sas-harness-the-power-of-233739.aspx?link_page_rss=233739</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-sas-harness-the-power-of-233739.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“Our work with SAS addresses an issue that’s at the crux of the health care challenges we face today: improving health in order to reduce costs for our customers,” said BCBSNC Chief Medical Officer Don Bradley. “Traditionally, we’ve based health plan designs and care management programs on conventional research. Now we can look through a new lens at readily available data to create health plans better targeted to consumers’ needs. And, more importantly, we can offer more personalized care management programs, which individuals are more likely to respond to – making it more likely that these efforts will improve their health.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=692727" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC Puts Customers in the Driver’s Seat  with Health Care Cost and Quality Data</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-puts-customers-in-the-driver-228024.aspx?link_page_rss=228024</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-puts-customers-in-the-driver-228024.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“Consumers wouldn’t go for an oil change or buy a dishwasher without knowing how much it costs. Why should health care be any different?” said Susan Menendez, director of Strategic Provider Relationships at BCBSNC.  “The data we’ve made available on mybcbsnc.com will help clear up confusion and empower our customers to make better informed decisions.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=687778" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC, UNC Health Care Announce Medical Director and Name for New Medical Practice</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-unc-health-care-announce-216858.aspx?link_page_rss=216858</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-unc-health-care-announce-216858.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and UNC Health Care today announced Carolina Advanced Health as the name for the new medical practice developed by the two organizations that will open later this year.  Dr. Thomas K. Warcup, the practice’s medical director, will be charged with leading the practice in which patients – not just their symptoms – are the focus of care.
 <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=682413" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC High Deductible Health Plan Customers to see Zero Percent Base Rate Increase</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-high-deductible-health-211546.aspx?link_page_rss=211546</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-high-deductible-health-211546.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[Today Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) filed a rate request with the North Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI) for a rate increase of zero percent for Blue Options HSASM and Blue SaverSM. The requested rate increase for Blue Advantage® is 6.35 percent.  Blue Advantage and Blue Options HSA currently serve more than 347,000 customers under the age of 65. <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=678784" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:16:10 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC Could Change Pharmacy Benefits Management Vendor to Prime Therapeutics</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-could-change-pharmacy-benefits-211519.aspx?link_page_rss=211519</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-could-change-pharmacy-benefits-211519.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“Being more hands-on with our PBM will help us lower costs and provide better service to our customers,” said BCBSNC President and CEO Brad Wilson. “We also will be able to work with other non-profit Blues on formulary designs, improved information and communications to customers, and programs that integrate pharmacy and disease management programs to improve health.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=678749" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:07:36 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC Establishes Network of Accredited Specialty Pharmacies</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-establishes-network-of-209717.aspx?link_page_rss=209717</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-establishes-network-of-209717.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“The specialty pharmacies in our new network have met strict criteria for participation, including accreditation through an independent accrediting organization,” said Estay Greene, director of BCBSNC pharmacy programs. “These pharmacies have demonstrated their ability to offer comprehensive medication support to our customers.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=677134" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:48:22 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>UNC Health Care, BCBSNC Announce New Multi-Year Agreement</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/unc-health-care-bcbsnc-announce-209454.aspx?link_page_rss=209454</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/unc-health-care-bcbsnc-announce-209454.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“Over the past year, we have been fortunate to work with UNC Health Care on several initiatives that will help provide better, more efficient health care to our customers. UNC has continued that spirit of cooperation and demonstrated willingness to be flexible and open to the urgent need to control costs,” said BCBSNC President and CEO Brad Wilson. “In 2011 we have reached agreements with several hospitals across the state for modest increases. We are optimistic that other hospitals will follow UNC’s lead and show that they are serious about joining the fight to rein in health care costs.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=677112" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:25:14 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Partnership Supports Community Gardens in all 100 North Carolina Counties</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/partnership-supports-community-207798.aspx?link_page_rss=207798</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/partnership-supports-community-207798.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“The long-term benefit of this effort will extend well beyond the growing season,” said Brad Wilson, BCBSNC president and CEO. “By increasing access to healthy foods, we can all eat better, lower rates of diabetes, heart disease and obesity, and ultimately reduce the impact that unhealthy lifestyles have on our health care system.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=675976" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:24:27 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BCBSNC, Duke Health System Announce Expansion of On-Site Service Model</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-duke-health-system-announce-204246.aspx?link_page_rss=204246</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-duke-health-system-announce-204246.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“The on-site model has provided opportunities to increase efficiencies and reduce waste. As a result, we have seen improved satisfaction among our customers and the physicians and hospitals with whom we work.” said Ian Gordon, senior vice president for commercial and government operations for BCBSNC. “Working side-by-side has improved communication between BCBSNC and health care providers, and allowed us to learn from each other as we continue on our respective paths of process improvement.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=675444" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 26 May 2011 14:44:44 GMT</pubDate></item><item><author>Michelle Douglas</author><title>BCBSNC Issues a Health Care Cost Challenge: Stop Looking for Scapegoats and Start Talking</title><link>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-issues-a-health-care-cost-200416.aspx?link_page_rss=200416</link><guid>http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-issues-a-health-care-cost-200416.aspx</guid><description><![CDATA[“The content and tone of what we launched today is different from anything we have done before,” said Brad Wilson, BCBSNC president and CEO. “We understand that reining in medical costs is an urgent and challenging issue. But we also recognize if we’re going to make progress, the scapegoating that has driven the conversation to this point must stop.” <img src="http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/rss.ashx?id=673312" height="1" width="1" />]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:30:00 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>