The American Medical Association (AMA) and Anthem, Inc., have announced they will seek to identify and collaborate on solutions that drive a high‐value experience for patients, physicians, other health care professionals and health plans. 

“Physicians caring for patients across the country have many ideas about how we can reduce health care costs and administrative burdens while improving clinical outcomes, and we need the collaboration of Anthem and all health plans to implement those strategies. The AMA looks forward to finding common ground on ways to improve the delivery of affordable, high‐quality, patient‐centered care,” said AMA Board Chair Gerald E. Harmon, M.D.

As the first step, AMA and Anthem said they will pursue opportunities for collaboration in the following areas:  

• Enhance consumer and patient health care literacy


• Develop and implement value‐based payment models for primary and specialty care physicians


• Improve access to timely, actionable data to address gaps in care, achieve better outcomes and lower costs


• Streamline and/or eliminate low‐value prior‐authorization requirements and implement policies to minimize delays or disruptions in continuity of care

“Collaboration between payers and health care professionals is critical in order to evolve and advance our health care system to one that is simpler, more accessible and more affordable for consumers. At Anthem, we value our relationships with health care professionals, and today we are reaffirming our commitment to work together to create a best‐in‐class health care system that delivers on this promise for patients across the country,” said Craig Samitt, M.D., chief clinical officer at Anthem, Inc.

The California Medical Association believes that health plans must engage with the physician community to improve health care quality, access and affordability. We will be monitoring this collaboration and hope to work with AMA, Anthem and others to create lasting, positive change in the health care system.