Making interactions between health care systems and members more meaningful is a goal for Heidi Nielsen in her role with Blue Cross. She and four other strategic provider partners work with health care systems (providers) in the Blue Cross network to support everyday challenges, while also working to deliver quality care for the community.
thrive.: Tell us a bit about your role at Blue Cross.
Heidi Nielsen: I manage the relationship between Blue Cross and a large care provider. We manage the contract and handle day-to-day operational challenges between Blue Cross and the provider, while also thinking more strategically with the provider about long-term initiatives that will benefit the member outcomes or improve experience.
thrive.: What’s an example of the work you’ve done?
Heidi: As our health care system partners address the need to continue to provide quality care at a lower cost, one of our partners recognized the opportunity to pilot a member outreach program. Blue Cross provided funding for it and we’ve been collaborating with them to look at how to improve care for members.
thrive.: Why is this important for members?
Heidi: In the new model, providers will receive extra payment for providing better quality of care. Instead of being paid for the number of patients they see, they’re paid for how well they’re caring for those patients.
thrive.: What’s the best part of your job?
Heidi: I worked in clinical care for 18 years and during that time, I saw the everyday differences in people’s lives that were super rewarding. As a strategic provider partner, I now see how we can make the whole system better for people.