Blue Health Intelligence

Categories: Encourage Research on What Works

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois participates in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s Blue Health Intelligence (BHI) program, which ranks as the nation’s largest, HIPAA-compliant, multi-Plan database and brings together de-identified data on the claims experience of more than 50 million Blue Cross and Blue Shield members nationwide.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans use BHI – the broadest, deepest pool of claims information ever created – as an analytical tool to assist in understanding healthcare trends, cost drivers and other important factors related to healthcare delivery.  This data analysis allows the Plan and employer accounts to proactively design products to meet identified needs and provide higher-quality care to their members.  For example, high rates of cardiac disease could trigger targeted wellness initiatives.

As BHI expands, it will have the potential to provide policymakers and healthcare stakeholders with a steady flow of data, giving physicians and hospitals powerful insight into the appropriateness and effectiveness of emerging medical trends and treatment options.  The database will also help profile physician and hospital performance to identify and implement best practices; strengthen the momentum toward greater healthcare transparency; create opportunities for health services research and give policymakers information on drug safety, drug efficacy, disease spread and the impact of new technologies and procedures.