Empire To Follow Transparency Trend
By Staff Reporter of the Sun | November 15, 2007
The state's largest health insurer, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, said it would implement a doctor-ranking program that fully discloses how physicians are rated. The program, to be launched sometime next year, would inform consumers how much of the ranking is based on cost, and how much is based on quality, the company announced yesterday. The model is based on ranking guidelines established by the state attorney general, Andrew Cuomo. With 5 million customers in New York, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield is the third insurer to adopt Mr. Cuomo's guidelines for transparent doctor rankings in recent weeks. Previously, Cigna and Aetna agreed to implement more transparent programs nationwide.
