Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Launches 2015 Annual Report

PROVIDENCE, RI – New customer initiatives, expanded partnerships with providers and local community organizations, and innovative contracting models made 2015 a year of continued healthcare transformation and financial strength for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), which today released its 2015 Annual Report. BCBSRI’s efforts in 2015 met key goals of improving the customer experience, creating a more collaborative healthcare environment and improved patient experience and producing cost savings. These same efforts, combined with continued focus on low administrative costs, resulted in a $21.6 million gain on operations and a $29.7 million addition to reserves, assuring the company’s continued stability and ability to invest in transformative initiatives.

“We continue to believe that the only avenue to a sustainable, affordable, and simple healthcare system for our state is through collaboration—among providers of healthcare, state leadership, customers, and regulators,” said BCBSRI President and CEO Peter Andruszkiewicz in the opening of the online report. “Simply put, it takes a team.”

Throughout 2015, BCBSRI introduced several initiatives to further enhance service and simplify the healthcare experience for customers, including:

• A new retail store location and innovative offerings to meet customers’ active lifestyles. Locations include Your Blue Store Lincoln, Bristol and Warwick.
• Seven-day-a-week customer service, a 24/7 Nurse Care Line, HouseCall by Blue appointments for members struggling with complex medical needs, and enhanced online shopping capabilities.
• Collaboration with Care New England’s Women & Infants Hospital to offer a free in-home doula visit through a first-in-Rhode Island partnership between an insurer and provider for free doula services.

BCBSRI generated impressive results through team-based provider partnerships committed to delivering on the triple aim of improving population health, patient experience and cost of care. BCBSRI’s five-year study of patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) showed improved health outcomes compared to standard primary care providers—and a savings of $30 million in healthcare costs. BCBSRI also realized $43M in healthcare cost avoidance by integrating pharmacists into primary care offices through the Medication Therapy Management Program.

The collective impact of grant programs, volunteer efforts and in-kind donations – which support more than 190 local non-profits – is highlighted in the companion 2015 Community Report. BCBSRI’s Blue Angel Community Investment Program supports nonprofits and programs that address the most critical health issues facing Rhode Islanders, from childhood obesity to health literacy to quality care for the uninsured.

In addition to stories that feature BCBSRI’s customers and provider partners, the annual report includes an overview of 2015 business results and examples of the company’s leadership and ongoing investments in corporate citizenship and diversity and inclusion.

About Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island 

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the state’s leading health insurer and covers more than 450,000 members. The company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit http://www.bcbsri.comwww.bcbsri.com, follow us on Twitter @BCBSRI, and like us on Facebook at fb.com/bcbsri.

Leave a comment