March 10, 2023 – CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) and Aledade, Inc. (Aledade) announced the formation of a strategic partnership in which CareFirst primary care physicians gain access to Aledade’s tools and resources. This access will boost the efficiency and effectiveness of the primary care physicians that are currently operating independently.

Aledade is a public benefit corporation that assists independent primary care practices with data analysis, care management, and patient outreach tools that are designed to facilitate their involvement in value-based care. The corporation helps these practices improve patient health while reducing health care costs across the system.

Aledade also empowers participating providers to improve patient access and focus on preventative care. Their preventative care tools have helped save over $1.2 billion across the health care system and helped patients avoid thousands of unnecessary hospitalizations and Emergency Department trips. 

“The data clearly shows us that healthier outcomes for patients are directly influenced by the relationship people share with their primary care doctors,” said President and CEO of CareFirst, Brian D. Pieninck. “Partnering with Aledade to bring their services to CareFirst providers is a crucial step toward building a prevention-based, whole-health approach to healthcare.”

“Through this strategic alliance, we look forward to seeing improved health outcomes and lower cost trends, as these are the core principles of value-based care,” Pieninck added.

Aledade co-founder and CEO Farzad Mostashari, MD  also touted the partnership in the press release. “When we put clinicians back in charge, patients, practices, and society as a whole see the results. CareFirst has created a model risk arrangement that creates long-term alignment and sustainability in service to patients and their entire communities. When we can give clinicians the means to keep their patients healthy and out of the hospital, everybody benefits.”

This is a promising step for consumers as value-based care has been shown to improve health outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs.

To view the press release from CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, click here.