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1 mar, 2023

Creating more affordable, patient-centered healthcare

MD

Gonzalo Paz-Soldán, M.D., CPE is BCBSRI’s senior medical director for clinical transformation. Dr. Paz-Soldán joined us in 20 de junio22 and is helping to lead our clinical efforts to enhance our members’ experience and advance the quality of care they receive through the growth and expansion of our value-based programs and initiatives. In addition, he is also focused on addressing health disparities, advancing health equity and improving the well-being of all Rhode Islanders. Dr. Paz-Soldan is a general pediatrician and his diverse background includes extensive experience in care transformation and innovation, quality improvement, and advancing patient and provider satisfaction. Dr. Paz-Soldán was medical director for partner transformation in value-based programs with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and was also regional executive medical director for pediatrics at Reliant Medical Group in Worcester. Additionally, he has served as medical director and a pediatrician at centers and hospitals in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

 

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) is always trying to find ways to make high-quality care more affordable for our members and for Rhode Islanders as a whole. Last month, we talked about pediatric behavioral health as one of the major components of our new, bold three-year strategy. Another component of that strategy is growing value-based care (VBC) arrangements which create exceptional value for both our members and our participating providers.

VBC is proactive, preventive care with an emphasis on keeping patients healthy and at the center of an integrated healthcare system, and providers’ compensation increases as their patients experience better outcomes and lower costs. For more than 14 years, BCBSRI has worked with local providers to develop and expand VBC programs designed to lower costs and achieve better health outcomes for Rhode Islanders.

Today, we are continuing to invest in value-based models to support the local healthcare system, bridge the economic challenges facing the industry, and create new sources of revenue for practices. New VBC models will support integrated patient care that will keep patients healthy, reduce hospitalizations, and increase quality and patient-centered outcomes by ensuring that patients get the right care, at the right time, and in the right place. We will employ a data-driven approach and support our providers with new capabilities to ensure they are successful in new VBC models. We are also excited to think of the increased quality and equity outcomes and metrics which can be incorporated in some of the new models.

We are making investments across the provider landscape to support PCPs, specialists, and hospitals in the transition to VBC. We will be sure to keep you updated on some of the successful value-based models in the market, but please also feel free to reach out to me directly to talk more about value-based models that can work for your practice.

¡Gracias!

In addition to celebrating Women’s History Month in March, we recognize several healthcare-related observances this month: March is also Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and National Social Worker’s Month; 8 de marzo is Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day; 12 de marzo-18 is Patient Safety Awareness Week; 19 de marzo is Certified Nurses Day; and 30 de marzo is National Doctor’s Day. As always, thank you for your partnership and for all you do to help our members stay safe and healthy!