THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem) today announced it has agreed to extend its participation in the Integrated Healthcare Association’s (IHA) Symphony Provider Directory through 2023. The agreement highlights Anthem’s commitment to simplifying the health care experience for consumers and signals continued progress in California’s efforts to improve provider data and management across its health care system. Anthem, which serves more than 8 million members in California, was one of the first health plans to participate in the program starting in 2019.
“California continues to lead the way by developing a scalable solution that streamlines processes for care providers and health plans while helping lower overall administrative costs,” said Mark Reynolds, Chief Operating Officer with Anthem Blue Cross and a member of IHA’s Board of Directors. “This partnership is another example of how we are working to help simplify the healthcare experience for those we serve.”
Led by the non-profit organization IHA, the Symphony directory serves as California’s statewide platform for provider data management, streamlining the way health plans and care providers share and reconcile provider information in compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements.
“When fully deployed, Symphony will drive considerable efficiencies and eliminate manual processes across the industry,” said Eyal Gurion, Chief Operating Officer at IHA who oversees Symphony. “By year’s end, we estimate that Symphony will have data for more than 50 percent of California’s providers through our partnerships with over 100 medical groups and 15 health plans such as Anthem.”
Symphony is the result of collaboration among stakeholders across the health care industry, including health plans, providers, purchasers, regulators and others.
“It is essential for consumers to have accurate information so they can make informed decisions when choosing a health plan,” said California Department of Managed Health Care Director Shelley Rouillard. “The Symphony provider directory is an example of how the industry has worked together to reduce administrative burdens on both plans and providers and provide more accurate and reliable information to consumers. I hope to see more industry-wide collaborative efforts like this to benefit California’s health care consumers.”
The IHA recently released a white paper highlighting valuable learnings and insights gathered during the inaugural year of the Symphony Provider Directory. To learn more visit www.symphony.iha.org.
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Anthem Blue Cross has been serving the health insurance needs of California residents since 1937. Anthem Blue Cross, together with its branded affiliates, provides health care services to more than 8.2 million health plan members in California, including a broad network of more than 65,000 providers. Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. To learn more, visit www.anthem.com/ca. Also, follow us on Twitter or Facebook.