BlueCompare adds two pieces of information to Provider Finder® for BlueChoice®  and BlueChoice Solutions networks (including physicians and other professional providers who service HealthSelect, UT Select and other group accounts):

1. Affordability information is based on the Risk Adjusted Cost Index (RACI) at the level of the physician, professional provider, or the working specialty/rating area within a group practice.  The RACI measures the extent to which episodes of care managed by a physician or professional provider are more or less costly than peers within the same working specialty in the same geographic region after adjustment for case-mix, severity of illness, and comorbid conditions of the patients.  A RACI may not be available where there is insufficient data or one is not calculated for the working specialty.

   The Affordability information will reflect the performance of all modeled physicians or professional providers at the Practice Evaluation ID/working specialty/Rating Area level.

   Additional information regarding the RACI.
   
   
2. Evidence Based Measures (EBM) information  - The EBM assessment uses BCBSTX claims and enrollment data to calculate performance against indicators that cover significant processes of care in diabetes, heart disease, preventive screening and others.  Performance is attributed to all physicians involved in treating the qualifying patients.  Where there are indicators for a specialty and sufficient data is available, physicians at or above the threshold will be recognized with either a dark or light blue ribbon.  When the physician practices in a group, the EBM information reflects the performance of all the physicians in the same specialty within that group.
   
   Additional information regarding EBM.

EBM Opt Out
A physician can opt out and choose to not display the EBM information in Provider Finder for calendar year 2008 by filling out a form available here.

BlueCompare Inquiries and Reviews
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) makes every effort to ensure our network providers understand the affordability and practice information listed in our BlueCompare Web tool.  If you are not satisfied with your BlueCompare Affordability and Evidence Based Measures (EBM) information, you have the right to request a formal review.  To obtain additional information regarding Inquiries and Reviews, please click here.

Visit BlueCompare
We invite you to become familiar with the new BlueCompare consumer information tool by selecting to view BlueCompare information in a short video presentation or view more information online.

BlueCompare Video Presentation (Flash format)

BlueCompare information in Provider Finder

Questions?
If you still have questions, please see the Frequently Asked Questions or contact your local Professional Provider Network office.

Note 
The BlueCompare tool is provided for informational purposes only. BlueCompare information is available to assist members and non-members in the selection of a health care provider. It is not intended to be a recommendation to consumers. Selection of a health care physician or professional provider is a personal choice, and consumers should not base decisions solely on Affordability or Evidence Based Measures designations displayed in BlueCompare. BlueCompare is based on BCBSTX PPO and POS claims and membership data and may not be indicative of the physician's or professional provider's overall practice.