The Potential Impact of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Medical Centers

The Potential Impact of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Medical Centers: Last week, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas announced its entry into the provider space with 10 clinics opening near Dallas and Houston next year. The clinics will include primary care, urgent care, lab and diagnostic imaging services, care coordination, and wellness and disease management programs, and were framed as part of the insurer's desire to advance value-based care in the medical space – but other providers see the clinics as direct competition. Value-based care is growing in popularity as the industry transitions away from fee-for service, where providers are paid based on the number of procedures or tests that are performed. By focusing on value, providers are held accountable for the outcomes of their practice, which should lead to lower overall healthcare costs and reduce unnecessary medical care. BCBSTX will be partnering with Sanitas USA, a branch of the Spain-based provider that has several clinics in Florida, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The clinics will be in Irving,