Blue Cross NC, Atrium Health, and Novant Health Sign Industry-Leading Blue Premier Agreements for Value-Based Care

Two of state's largest health systems reach multiyear Blue Premier agreements with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) aimed at better health outcomes and lower costs.

DURHAM, N.C. — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), advancing its efforts to transform healthcare, has signed new value-based, multiyear agreements with Atrium Health and Novant Health—2 of North Carolina’s largest health systems. Both systems are joining Blue Cross NC’s Blue Premier value-based program, a contractual arrangement that holds the systems and Blue Cross NC jointly accountable for better health outcomes, exceptional patient experience and lower costs.

The addition of Atrium Health and Novant Health means that 7 of the state’s largest health systems are participating in Blue Premier beginning in 2020. The agreements put Blue Cross NC on track to meet its goal of having 50% of its members served by providers in value-based, shared-risk agreements in 2020. This unprecedented level of commitment from 7 large health systems establishes Blue Premier as the most rapid and comprehensive shift to value-based payment in the nation by any health plan.

“In 18 months, we have made tremendous progress toward making North Carolina a national leader in transforming healthcare, working collaboratively with hospitals and physicians,” said Rahul Rajkumar, MD, Blue Cross NC chief medical officer. “Atrium Health, Novant Health and Blue Cross NC share a commitment to rewarding the things that matter to patients: higher-quality, better-coordinated care, and lower cost. We applaud the 7 systems now in Blue Premier and look forward to having others join us in changing healthcare.”

“With over 14 million patient interactions each year, we know the communities we are privileged to serve are counting on Atrium Health to fulfill our mission to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing—for all,” said Rasu Shrestha, MD, EVP and chief strategy officer for Atrium Health. “This unique value-based agreement with Blue Cross NC and Atrium Health is a great example of the innovative collaboration that can happen between care providers and insurers to make care more affordable, while also increasing the quality of the care that is provided.”