Piedmont Healthcare today announced it has secured a contract extension with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA), which will protect in-network access to all Piedmont facilities and more than 1,400 Piedmont Clinic physicians through 2017 and beyond.

The value-based contract, which emphasizes performance as a significant part of the agreement, continues the partnership Piedmont and BCBSGA has enjoyed for nearly 10 years.

“Our renewed relationship enables us to improve the health of the communities we serve by providing convenient access to quality care,” said Kevin Brown, president and CEO of Piedmont Healthcare. “We look forward to providing the highest level of services, the most talented physicians and the best facilities for the future, and we look forward to working with Blue Cross to transform healthcare.”

Performance-based contracts are representative of the relationships that Piedmont has with several major insurance providers. These collaborative, value-based relationships reduce the cost of care and increase the quality of patient care. Furthermore, they improve transparency by sharing data and developing programs that benefit patients and communities.

“We have a long history in Georgia of providing access to affordable, quality healthcare and that remains our top priority. Though the current contract doesn’t expire until 2017 we felt it was important to begin conversations regarding an extension several months ago to ensure our members would have uninterrupted access to care,” said Jeff Fusile, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. “We agreed to an even more collaborative relationship that will build on the value we create today and continue to improve care our members receive for years to come. We look forward to continuing to work with Piedmont to provide our members throughout Atlanta and the surrounding communities with access to enhanced care, better outcomes and greater efficiency.”

The contract extension includes the acceptance of employer-sponsored commercial health plans at Piedmont Atlanta, including Piedmont West Ambulatory Service Center; Piedmont Fayette; Piedmont Henry; Piedmont Mountainside, Piedmont Newnan and Piedmont Newton; as well as the acceptance of Medicare Advantage and Georgia Health Insurance Exchange members at Piedmont Newton and Piedmont Clinic physician practices. In addition, the extension enables Piedmont’s continued participation in BCBSGA’s member-facing transparency program, Care Compare.