Independence Now Accepting Applications for 2022 Clinical Care Innovation Grants
According to an Oct. 7 press release, Philadelphia, Pa.-headquartered Independence Blue Cross (Independence) is now accepting applications for its 2022 Clinical Care Innovation Grants.
The release states that “The grants, which were awarded for the first time in 2021 to Axia Women’s Health, Trinity Mid-Atlantic, and Penn Medicine, are intended to foster innovative approaches to care delivery that can help improve the health and well-being of Independence members and the community at large. Health systems and large specialty groups that are in the Independence network and have a value-based contract are encouraged to apply for a 2022 Clinical Care Innovation Grant.”
Further, “Health systems and large specialty groups applying for a Clinical Care Innovation Grant should submit ideas that focus on the following:
- Being new and innovative
- Improving quality and access to health care
- Enhancing the patient experience
- Lowering health care costs
- Bringing patient care closer to the home setting
- Leveraging virtual care platforms
- Integrating behavioral health strategies into care delivery
- Achieving health equity”
Vice president of clinical care transformation at Independence, Dr. Rodrigo Cerdá, was quoted in the release saying that “We were excited by the caliber of applications we received in the first year of offering these grants. It’s clear that the providers in our network are interested developing new and innovative approaches to how they deliver care, and we are happy to be able to support their efforts through these Clinical Care Innovation Grants.”
The release explains that up to five Clinical Care Innovation Grants will be awarded next year with an average of $200,000 per grant and Grant Program submissions are due by November 4, 2021. Each applying entity is permitted up to three submissions that will be evaluated internally by an Independence review committee. Providers whose submissions are accepted will then invited to present their ideas. Winners will be notified by December 20, 2021.
