Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Homeward Announce Value Based Care Agreement

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota announced a full-risk health care agreement with a hybrid startup. Homeward, which aims to expand access for rural Minnesotans.

The insurer and rural health startup said Medicare Advantage members in 24 Minnesota counties outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area will be able to use Homeward services. The company offers home and community meetings, as well as virtual care.

Homeward and Blue Cross said they are working to identify patients who have gaps in care or who are not currently receiving the services they need. They plan to expand Homeward services to additional counties.

“Our agreement with Homeward is another major step forward for our nationally recognized Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plans,” Dr. Mark Steffen, senior vice president and chief medical officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, said in a statement. “Blue Cross and Homeward will work with local hospitals, clinics and care systems in every community so that together we can work to solve one of the biggest challenges in the healthcare system today. We are pleased to be able to increase our support for populations and communities that need additional healthcare resources.”

BIG TREND

home launched almost a year ago with a $20 million investment from General Catalyst. The startup, led by veterinarians at chronic disease care company Livongo, is focused on helping rural communities that are at greater risk of ill health than their urban counterparts.

Since then partners with pharmacy chain Rite Aid to provide seniors with medical services such as wellness visits and check-ups. In August, the company also announced a $50 million Series B round, in which it unveiled its first value-driven healthcare partnership with Priority Health in Michigan.

Last summer, Homeward CEO Dr. Jennifer Schneider said MobiHealthNews Waivers of service fees have been critical to rural healthcare delivery, especially in the provision of services such as remote patient monitoring.

“In order to actually be sustainable and use the care you need to be successful in helping, I think a full capitation allowance is really the only way forward in rural markets,” she said.