Cleveland Clinic London and Bupa UK Insurance have solidified their collaboration through a new multi-year agreement designed to enhance healthcare services for Bupa customers in central London. A key feature of this agreement is the continuation and expansion of a pioneering value-based healthcare pilot initiated in 2024. This pilot represents a significant shift from traditional healthcare payment models, linking Cleveland Clinic's remuneration to patient health outcomes rather than the volume of services provided. Such an approach aligns incentives towards delivering more effective and patient-centred care.

Under the new contract, Bupa and Cleveland Clinic London have also introduced a no-shortfall guarantee for employed consultant fees. This means Bupa-insured patients will not incur unexpected charges for consultant fees that exceed their health cover allowance, removing a common source of financial concern and improving the overall patient experience. The pilot focuses on Bupa Platinum consultants, who are among the highest-rated by Bupa customers and accessible across all Bupa healthcare schemes.

This innovative collaboration builds on the foundation laid since the initial partnership announcement in 2021, which aimed to give Bupa health insurance customers streamlined access to Cleveland Clinic London's expertise in cardiovascular health, digestive diseases, neurosciences, and orthopaedics. That earlier alliance sought to integrate clinical pathways and enhance coordinated care, reflecting a shared commitment to improving healthcare outcomes through specialist services.

Recent developments across Bupa's broader healthcare strategy complement this partnership. In October 2024, Bupa introduced measures to increase fees for certain medical specialists and launched a consultant panel to ensure fair practitioner compensation and better patient care. Simultaneously, Bupa is expanding access to digital healthcare, with nearly one million virtual GP consultations anticipated during 2024, underscoring its focus on accessible, patient-centred services.

The value-based healthcare pilot with Cleveland Clinic London was highlighted by Bupa representatives at the 2024 International Value Symposium, illustrating the growing importance of value-driven care delivery models. Experts from Bupa discussed how such projects encourage greater insurer-provider collaboration and have the potential to enhance clinical quality and patient outcomes.

Rob Lorenz, President of Cleveland Clinic London, emphasised the organisation’s dedication to exceptional care and patient safety, noting the increasing patient demand for transparency on clinical quality. Richard Washington, General Manager for Healthcare at Bupa UK Insurance, described value-based healthcare as a promising shift that prioritises care quality while fostering collaboration between insurers and providers. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to delivering high-quality care through this evolving partnership.

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Source: Noah Wire Services