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Program scores providers based on data-driven quality and cost metrics

TULSA, Okla. — As part of a continued mission to provide affordable, quality health care, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is proud to introduce a new tool to help members searching for care providers.

Since Jan. 1, 2024, BCBSOK has implemented data-driven quality and cost metrics to score physicians and help PPO members see ranked in-network results when they use the provider search tool available on the BCBSOK app and website.

Provider profiles, which score highest on quality, cost-efficient care and appropriate treatment plans, display a “Top Performing Physician” designation. They are sorted to the top of the search experience. Providers with the lowest scores will sort towards the bottom. A placeholder median value will be given to providers with no current score.

The data used for scores is part of BCBSOK’s provider measurement — or PEAQ — program. PEAQ stands for Provider Efficiency, Appropriateness and Quality. In 2022, BCBSOK began to deliver PEAQ data to providers to help them better serve members. BCBSOK is now giving members insights based on that same data to help them select the best providers to meet their health care needs.

“Similar to other consumer-related decisions, patients increasingly use online research as a tool to help make their health care choices,” said BCBSOK Chief Medical Officer Todd Hoffman, M.D., C.P.E. "Research has shown 90% of people use the internet to help find a provider. This tool offers members the data to make more informed decisions and improve health outcomes in a cost-effective way.”

Ranked results are available for searches within the following specialties: 

• Cardiology
• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Endocrinology
• Family Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• General Surgery
• Internal Medicine
• Nephrology
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Otolaryngology
• Pediatrics
• Pulmonary
• Rheumatology
• Urology
• Vascular Surgery

General surgery and otolaryngology will be added later this year.

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
For 84 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma has been committed to meeting the health care financing needs of Oklahomans. As the state's oldest and largest private health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma provides health care benefit plans for more than 800,000 Oklahomans. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Media Contact

Tricia Ament
918-551-2228
Tricia_Ament@bcbsok.com