Mainebiz Special Editions

M a i n e — A P h oto P o rt r A i t o f t h e P i n e t r ee S tAt e P r o f i l e s i n e x c e l l e n c e 130 I n 1938 Maine's first health insurer was founded to provide Mainers with security around their health care needs. Today, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine still provides that essential secu- rity, combining its local roots with the national strength of its parent company, WellPoint, Inc. to provide cover- age options to Maine individuals, seniors and employ- ers of all sizes. "Our long heritage in Maine includes serving all of our state's counties with a broad range of products, programs and services," noted Dan Corco- ran, president and general manager of Anthem. "While we're thought of primarily as a health benefits compa- ny, we're also a major local employer with hundreds of Maine-based associates in good jobs." Relying on innovative data-driven approaches to improving quality, Anthem applies an integrated ap- proach to improving health that engages members, health care providers and employers to help members make good decisions about their health needs. An- them uses its extensive local health care data to de- velop information that supports doctors at the point of care and provides critical insights into the health of populations. The company's toolkit includes person- alized information that engages members in staying well, managing illness and saving money; incentives that support providers in keeping their patients well and managing their illnesses; and technology that im- proves communication and decision-making. In a groundbreaking use of intelligent technol- ogy, Anthem will be offering doctors the ability to use Watson, the "Jeopardy!"-winning computer, to outline treatment options and diagnoses. Watson will meld the latest medical research, population health information, and the patient's own medical history and lab results and analyze millions of pages of data in seconds to help doctors make better decisions, faster. Because research shows that the right financial in- centives coupled with the right support tools result in better outcomes and lower costs, Anthem rewards health care providers for coordinated care focused on disease management, wellness, prevention, quality and safety. For example, Anthem's participation in the Patient Centered Medical Home initiative represents a fundamental shift in how an insurer interacts with primary care doctors on all levels: clinically, contrac- tually and operationally. Members gain coordination across the continuum of care and a focus on wellness and prevention. The primary care doctors gain greater collaboration with their patients, an enhanced ability to manage their patients' health, and the ability to suc- ceed in an environment that recognizes and rewards higher quality care. Over time, the Patient Centered Medical Home initiative is expected to result in im- proved health outcomes at a lower cost. Anthem's new MyHealth Advantage program identifies opportunities for Anthem members to im- prove their health by sending individualized mes- sages to members and their doctors about needed services, such as missed screenings and prescription refills. Another Anthem program, Availity ® , helps lo- cal physician practices reduce time-intensive admin- istrative tasks related to benefits and payments. And the Availity CareProfile ® , a patient care record that includes information from doctors, pharmacies, labs and other providers of care can play an important role in improving quality, safety and efficiency. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine P h o t o B y B r i a n f i t Z G e r a l D | f i t Z G e r a l D P h o t o The long heritage of Anthem in Maine includes serving all of the state's 16 counties with a broad range of products, programs and services that help keep Maine families healthy. Anthem's mission: to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities. Anthem volunteers build raised beds at the Maine Veterans' Home in Scarborough during Anthem's annual Community Service Day, when Anthem associates contribute their time and energy to help local community organizations.

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