Monday, June 24, 2019

EmergeOrtho and OrthoCarolina Join NC State Health Plan Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jun 24, 2019

(Raleigh, N.C.) – State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, and the State Health Plan (Plan) announced today that EmergeOrtho and OrthoCarolina have signed contracts to join the North Carolina State Health Plan Network.

EmergeOrtho is one of the largest physician-owned orthopedic practices in North Carolina with over 140 physicians, 130 Advanced Practice Practitioners and 165 Physical and Occupational Therapists. EmergeOrtho offers advanced expertise in all orthopedic subspecialties dealing with conditions of the bones, muscles and joints, as well as unmatched resources through collaboration with other specialists in the practice. EmergeOrtho has 50 office locations throughout 21 counties from the mountains to the coast and provides Orthopedic Urgent Care services across the state.

“We support the initiative of the State Health Plan. It aligns with our mission to deliver high quality, low-cost accessible health care across the state. Through our expertise with alternate payment models, such as bundled payments, we view this as a perfect avenue to expand the programs to the members of the Plan. Along with OrthoCarolina, we stand united in continuing to serve the great teachers and state employees in North Carolina and look forward to deepening our relationship with the State Health Plan and Treasurer Dale Folwell," said Thomas A. Dimmig, MD, President, EmergeOrtho.

OrthoCarolina is one of the nation's leading independent academic orthopedics practices with over 300 providers. They offer comprehensive musculoskeletal care including operative and non-operative care, diagnostic imaging and rehabilitative therapy, as well as research and training. OrthoCarolina physicians specialize in foot and ankle, hip and knee, shoulder and elbow, spine, sports medicine, hand and pediatric orthopedics. The practice has 31 office locations.

“OrthoCarolina is excited to partner with the North Carolina State Health Plan to lower the cost of health care for Plan members through innovative programs, such as physician-led bundled payment arrangements and increased utilization of low-cost, high-quality facilities," said Robert B. McBride, Jr., MD, President, OrthoCarolina. “We are committed to the delivery of quality, efficient, and cost-transparent orthopedic and spine services across North Carolina."

“We are thrilled to have such prestigious practices on board as partners to our new North Carolina State Health Plan Network. Their mission of being trusted leaders in innovative, quality-focused, comprehensive orthopedic care complements our efforts as we bring full transparency and lower costs to our health benefits," Folwell said. “Our members like one-price options for knee replacements and other orthopedic services. These are called bundles and include everything from band aids to physical therapy for one price."

The North Carolina State Health Plan Network is the result of the Clear Pricing Project (CPP) announced last year. Under CPP, the Plan will move away from a commercial-based payment model to a reference-based, transparent pricing model tied to Medicare rates. Health care providers will be reimbursed for their services at Medicare rates plus an average of 82 percent. Plan members will save more than $50 million.

Providers should visit https://www.bluecrossnc.com/provider-home for more information. Plan members can find more information regarding the Clear Pricing Project at www.shpnc.org.

The State Health Plan, a division of the N.C. Department of State Treasurer, provides health care coverage to more than 727,000 teachers, current and former lawmakers, state university and community college personnel, active and retired state employees, and their dependents.