Independence Blue Cross and Penn Medicine are partnering on a value-based primary care model centered around co-ownership of Blue Cross' physician network subsidiary, Tandigm.
The payer said Sept. 27 it would sell a minority equity stake in Tandigm to the Philadelphia health system for an undisclosed amount to allow more patients continued access to their PCPs and new pathways to Penn's specialty services. The agreement also includes a long-term commitment from Penn to work with Tandigm for all primary care value-based programs across all payers.
Tandigm currently supports a network of 400 PCPs and manages care for 110,000 patients. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Penn will add 275 of its own physicians and about 200,000 additional patients to the network .
In the future, the model may allow Tandigm PCPs to add specialty care, advanced home care and off-hours virtual care. The new model begins Jan. 1.
"We are excited to move to the next generation of value-based care, expanding member access to the benefits of population health management and ensuring that they can access quality care where and when they need it," Gregory Deavens, president and CEO of Independence, said. "This means connecting every aspect of the healthcare system, from the primary care physician to the hospital and all the other critical care settings, including the home."