Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is committing $25 million to aid local providers in their efforts to eliminate racial and ethnicity-based healthcare inequities — the latest move since the company announced in February it would work to combat inequities.
The funds will be distributed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and awarded as grants to support physician equity efforts and to prepare for new contracts that will provide financial incentives linked to progress in removing inequities starting in 2023, according to a Dec. 2 news release shared with Becker's.
"We know these changes can’t be made overnight," said Andrew Dreyfus, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts president and CEO. "Addressing deep-rooted inequities requires significant time, energy and staff resources. We recognize that and want to support our clinical partners in this important work, since we all stand to benefit from a more equitable health care system."
The announcement follows a company analysis of claims that found statewide racial discrepancies in healthcare.