Aurora-Anthem plan seeks exclusivity, promises savings

Aurora Health Care and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin have won their first large employer for a new health plan that guarantees savings if employees and family members use Aurora hospitals and doctors for most of their care. The new health plan changes the incentives that exist throughout much of the health care system, putting Aurora partly at financial risk if it can't provide care at a lower cost while meeting specific quality targets. Aurora could lose money if it provides services that are unneeded or that are more costly but no more effective than less-expensive care.