St. Luke's University Health Network and Capital BlueCross have announced a regional accountable-care arrangement intended to improve the health care experience and outcomes.

Capital BlueCross is partnering with St. Luke's Physician Group primary care and specialist physician practices to provide nursing resources and technology to deliver patient-centered, holistic care. St Luke's Physician Group is a network of physician practices affiliated with St. Luke's University Health Network.

"St. Luke's University Health Network is committed to improving the health, well-being and quality of life of the people living in our community," said Dean Evans, President, St. Luke's Physician Group. "We look forward to working with Capital BlueCross and business leaders to deliver high quality outcomes to patients in a cost-effective, efficient and measurable manner."

"Capital BlueCross is excited to partner with St. Luke's, which has a strong reputation of delivering quality care to the Lehigh Valley community," said Dr. Jennifer Chambers, Capital BlueCross senior vice president and chief medical officer. "We have had great success coordinating accountable care arrangements, and look forward to providing this high level of care to our customers through the St. Luke's Network."

"Employers support efforts to move from a health care system paid on volume of services performed to one that's rewarded for value," said Tom Croyle, president of the Lehigh Valley Business Coalition on Health Care. "This requires serious discussions about changing not just business models and how we pay for health care, but the culture of clinical practices and measures.

"The Coalition applauds two trusted partners, St. Luke's and Capital BlueCross, for the approach they have taken and appreciate the opportunity for Lehigh Valley Business Coalition on Health Care's input into the process," Croyle said.

As an example of how the accountable care arrangement will work, customers with complex and chronic medical conditions or those at risk for such a medical condition will be identified for outreach, education, and clinical, wellness, or community-based intervention services through the use of chronic disease registries, St. Luke's Physician Group's electronic medical record system, and Capital BlueCross' technology-enabled predictive modeling tool. The partnership also will identify customers who are eligible, but have not received, preventive services appropriate for their age and medical condition.