Anthem Blue Cross 2010 Annual Report Download - page 20

REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS Proving that
you truly can do more with less, in 2010 we
reduced our total administrative expenses by 3
percent, or $271 million, while also improving
key customer service and operational efficiency
measurements. By leveraging technology to
auto-adjudicate claims, securely transfer medical
information and accelerate payments, we are
creating leaner, faster benefit systems and
improved experiences for members, providers and
employers alike. The result is improved outcomes—
from the back office to the doctor’s office.
PAYMENT INNOVATION We are actively engaged
in assessing Accountable Care Organizations
(ACOs) as part of our payment innovation strat-
egy to help transform the current delivery model
and provide members with access to the right
care, at the right time and at the right cost. We
have initiated discussions around ACOs in a
number of states and plan for more. As a model,
ACOs seek to encourage physicians, hospitals,
and insurance companies to work together to
better coordinate care, improve quality, and
reduce costs. Our industry-leading work with
ACOs is another way we are collaborating to find
innovative solutions to slow the rise in health
care costs and improve value.
EMERGENCY ROOM UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT Our
Emergency Room Utilization Management initia-
tive utilizes numerous communication channels,
including the Web, Google Maps directories,
interactive, telephonic voice-recognition technol-
ogy, and useful brochures to help educate
members about possible alternatives to visiting
the emergency room for routine care. Providing
information about available resources within our
health plan networks, such as urgent care cen-
ters, after-hours providers and retail health
clinics, can offer members more choice in finding
timely and appropriate care at a lower cost.
EFFICIENT MEDICAID SOLUTIONS As states pre-
pare for unprecedented Medicaid growth due to
health care reform, the need for Medicaid effi-
ciency has never been greater. WellPoint’s State
Sponsored Business (SSB) has created opportu-
nities to partner with states or other health plans
to provide them with consultative solutions based
on their unique needs. Whether the concern is
reducing premature births or a growing chroni-
cally ill population, SSB has the ability to design
programs that are scalable and provide greater
access to resources, expertise and efficiencies
to better manage care for a growing sector of
health care consumers.
…to help DRIVE COSTS OUT of the system.
It takes
a Leader…
2 0 1 0 S U M M A R Y A N N U A L R E P O R T
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