Episode Details
Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Dr. Stephen Friedhoff, SVP, Health Care Services at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
What you’ll get out of this episode:
– Fusion of Healthcare and Innovation: The conversation explored how innovation is shaping the healthcare landscape.
– Value-Based Care: Dr. Friedhoff and the hosts delved into the importance of focusing on value in patient care.
– Behavioral Health: They also touched on behavioral health, discussing its role in comprehensive care.
– Digital Transformation: The discussion emphasized the growing impact of digital transformation on healthcare delivery and patient experience.
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Introducing Dr. Stephen Friedhoff
In the most recent episode of the Slice of Healthcare Podcast, our host, Jared S. Taylor, welcomed Dr. Stephen Friedhoff, Senior VP of Healthcare Services at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Dr. Friedhoff brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare, including practicing as a family physician, teaching medical students, and playing key roles in managed care.
Driven by Value-Based Care
What attracted Dr. Friedhoff to Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina was its innovative approach to value-based care. The company’s mission, vision, and values centered on improving health outcomes in North Carolina proved compelling for Friedhoff. His role encompasses care management programs, network contracting, quality and clinical outcomes, and much more.
Addressing Healthcare’s Pressing Challenges
Two major issues in the healthcare industry today are the availability of healthcare professionals and the rising cost of medical care. Dr. Friedhoff explains the urgent need to address workforce shortages, particularly in behavioral health. Access to providers in marginalized populations or underserved areas is another critical concern.
Addressing escalating costs involves changing our reimbursement system, shifting focus from procedures to prevention. Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina has introduced a value-based program, Blue Premier, aimed at improving quality and reducing unplanned hospital admissions, among other benefits. The program has saved half a billion dollars in healthcare costs in North Carolina over its first three years.
Enhancing Behavioral Health Access
Dr. Friedhoff shared that almost all counties in North Carolina are classified as mental health professional shortage areas. To combat this, Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina has partnered with organizations such as Headway and Mindula, focused on meeting the needs of children and adolescents, especially those from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and individuals with substance use disorders.
The company has also built a dedicated team of behavioral health care navigators to aid patients in finding the right provider, ensuring more personalized and timely care.
Embracing Digital Innovation in Healthcare
Digital innovation, particularly artificial intelligence and machine learning, holds promise in healthcare, particularly in patient self-management, real-time feedback, and predicting risk. However, the challenge lies in ensuring these advancements do not widen existing disparities in healthcare access.
By leveraging these digital tools, Dr. Friedhoff believes we can optimize resources, identify at-risk individuals more efficiently, and deliver timely and impactful interventions. As we continue to improve these predictive models, healthcare providers will be empowered to do their jobs more effectively, resulting in better patient outcomes.
The Future of Healthcare
Dr. Stephen Friedhoff’s insights give us a glimpse into the future of healthcare. From the adoption of value-based care to leveraging digital tools for patient care, the industry is transforming rapidly. Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina is a shining example of how healthcare providers can pivot to meet these challenges head-on, paving the way for better patient care and improved health outcomes.
WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS:
Our sponsors for this episode are Sage Growth Partners, FlipMD by GoodRX and Quantum Health
Sage Growth Partners accelerates commercial success for healthcare organizations through a singular focus on growth. The company helps its clients thrive amid the complexities of a rapidly changing marketplace with deep domain expertise and an integrated application of research, strategy, and marketing. For more information, please go to www.sage-growth.com & follow Sage Growth Partners on social media – @sagegrowthpartners
GoodRx is a company that operates a platform and mobile application providing information and discounts on prescription drugs. It was founded in 2011 with the aim of helping consumers save money on their medication costs. GoodRx acts as a bridge between consumers, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies.
The primary function of GoodRx is to aggregate and compare prices of prescription drugs from various pharmacies across the United States. They gather pricing information for both generic and brand-name medications, allowing users to find the most affordable options available to them. The platform provides users with details about drug prices, discounts, and savings opportunities at different pharmacies in their local area.
For more information, please go to https://www.goodrx.com/ & follow FlipMD on social media – @goodrx
Quantum Health is an award-winning consumer healthcare navigation company that delivers an unparalleled consumer experience based on empathy and trust, enabling employers to achieve industry-leading satisfaction rates and independently validated claim savings. Launched in 1999, Quantum Health’s model is based on years of consumer research and the insights learned from guiding millions of consumers and their providers through their healthcare journey. Visit: https://quantum-health.com/ and follow Quantum health on social media – @Quantum Health
To learn more about Blue Cross Blue Shield Of North Carolina please use the links below:
– Blue Cross Blue Shield LinkedIn – Blue Cross Blue Shield NC Website –
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