Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Creates New Accountable Care Organization Alliance

Circle Connections: Mergers & Acquisitions Richardson-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas announced a new strategic alliance Thursday that it hopes will deliver improved, sustainable patient care while better managing healthcare costs, beginning in mid-2014. The partnership – with Memorial Hermann Accountable Care Organization – is aiming to improve patients' health while reducing costs through avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions, readmissions, emergency room visits, and duplication of services. BCBSTX is entering the ACO game just as another prominent North Texas healthcare organization is leaving it. Plus ACO – the accountable care organization comprised of Texas Health Resources and North Texas Specialty . . .