Health Plan Refines Effort To Tier Hospitals

MANAGED CARE October 2002. ©MediMedia USA

Responding to rapid hikes in hospital costs, Blue Shield of California updated a rating system that lets members know how their choice of hospital influences out-of-pocket costs.

The plan used quality- and patient-experience data to develop the tier system. Under the program, hospitals are grouped in affiliate or choice categories. Members using affiliate hospitals pay a copayment or a coinsurance fee. The new ratings took effect Oct. 1.