Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Aurora Healthcare partnering to form Well Priority

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Aurora Healthcare will be partnering to form a new health insurance company, Wisconsin Collaborative Insurance Company.

The partnership combines Aurora's care delivery system with Anthem's insurance knowledge to offer a commercial health insurance product called Well Priority. The plan is designed to deliver lower overall cost of care, healthier consumers and higher patient satisfaction, according to the organizations.

"A high-touch, enhanced experience is the foundation on which Well Priority is based. We'll be focused on keeping consumers healthy and actively engaged in their care to help them live well," said John Foley, Aurora's senior vice president of business development and president of the new joint-venture company. "And when patients do need care, we'll make sure that they receive the right level of care and in an appropriate setting through individualized care plans."

Well Priority products will feature:

• Access to care in 45 Wisconsin counties, where more than three-quarters of the state's residents reside;
• Coverage focused on keeping people well, which in turn reduces incidents of illness and reduces patients' potential out-of-pocket care costs;
• A network of doctors and hospitals that not only includes Aurora Health Care, but also other high-ranking Wisconsin healthcare systems;
• National and international in-network coverage through providers participating in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Blue Card Program;
• Doctors and hospitals committed to utilizing electronic medical records so that a patient's information travels with them;
• Around-the-clock care and treatment options, including a 24-7 Nurseline and LiveHealth Online telehealth services;
• On-site nursing options for large employers; and
• Facilitated cross-system referrals between providers and hospitals participating in the product.

"For years now, Blue Priority has been creating the right kind of health care competition by advancing issues of cost and quality," said Larry Schreiber, recent president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin and CEO of the joint venture. "Now, through Well Priority, we are working to further simplify health care so our members can focus on their health and live well."

The partnership will be operated by employees of both Aurora and Anthem. Well Priority product sales will begin in mid-2016 with most new group plans starting January 1, 2017. Initial sales will be focused on medium to large size employer groups. Product details and plan options being finalized over the next few months.