Star Tribune
by Christopher Snowbeck

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic have come to terms on a new five-year contract that includes a pledge for “collaborative governance” that’s meant to make sure promising new health care technologies get coverage…“It’s a long-term contract,” said Dennis Dahlen, the Mayo Clinic chief financial officer, in an interview. “Since this is Mayo Clinic’s largest business relationship, a five-year long term arrangement is very helpful to our business planning.”

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Additional coverage:
Modern Healthcare, Mayo Clinic, Blue Cross of Minnesota add downside risk, cut some prior authorizations in new contract by Tara Bannow — Two Minnesota healthcare giants have agreed to what will be a first on both sides: a unique, five-year contract that will include downside risk and the elimination of some prior authorizations.  Rochester-based Mayo Clinic and Eagan-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota's new agreement, effective beginning in 2019 and running through 2023, is designed in part to lift restrictions on care for Mayo's patients with serious or complex illnesses and make coverage for that care more seamless under Blue Cross policies. "Both sides are tired of aiming administrative artillery at each other," Mayo CFO Dennis Dahlen told Modern Healthcare at HFMA's annual conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday. "We can simplify that and work together on, 'When is it appropriate and when is it not?'"

Post-Bulletin, KIMT, Becker’s Hospital Review, Healthcare Dive

Context: Mayo Clinic and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) have announced a new agreement that will keep all Mayo locations across Minnesota in the Blue Cross provider network through 2023. This five-year agreement demonstrates the level of commitment both organizations have to the members and patients they serve together. The agreement, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2019, is structured to offer comprehensive clinical strategies that support the health of the population in southern Minnesota and maintain ongoing support of complex specialty care provided by Mayo Clinic. By ensuring access to Mayo Clinic’s clinical and diagnostic expertise for patients with complex medical conditions and needs, this agreement will help Blue Cross members with commercial or government coverage reduce avoidable costs caused by misdiagnoses or unnecessary treatment plans. You can read more about the agreement on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Contact:  Susan Barber Lindquist

Tags: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Dennis Dahlen, Garrett Black, health insurance, Uncategorized