Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield: Ascension Wisconsin, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield extend value-based health care collaboration

MILWAUKEE — August 2, 2022 — Two of Wisconsin’s leading health care organizations announced an agreement today that will continue their efforts to bring high quality, affordable health care to Southeast Wisconsin consumers. Through the agreement, more than a million members of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and affiliated health plans will continue to have in-network health plan benefits at all Ascension Wisconsin hospitals, physician practices, and allied health services.

Ascension Wisconsin and Anthem are accelerating their work to offer value-based care payment models in Southeast Wisconsin that further aligns payment with quality-of-care indicators including health outcomes, adherence to medical care standards, preventive care delivery, and more. 

“Continuing our shared work to bring high quality, affordable health care to this community is the most exciting part of this agreement to me,” said Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin President Paul Nobile. “Ascension, with their highly integrated and patient-centric care delivery system, has been a great partner for several years now in working to deliver best-in-class care while moderating health care cost trends for Wisconsin consumers and employers.”

The agreement covers Anthem’s employer-based, individual, Medicare and Medicaid health plans in Wisconsin. With 17 hospital campuses, 1,100+ physicians and specialists, and 100 related care facilities from Racine to Appleton, Ascension Wisconsin is an anchor health system within Anthem’s Pathway individual health plans available on and off Wisconsin’s health care marketplace.

“We know that today’s consumers want affordable, high-quality healthcare that is easy to access and offers plenty of choice. That’s what this agreement delivers,” said Bernie Sherry, Senior Vice President, Ascension and Ministry Market Executive, Ascension Wisconsin. “Whether in person at our hospitals and clinics or through virtual visits, we are committed to providing value to our patients by delivering quality care, in the right place at the right time for the communities we are privileged to serve.”