Our History and Organizational Structure
The Business Health Care Group was formed by several CEOs of large Milwaukee-based employers in the early 2000s who were concerned and frustrated by health care costs in southeast Wisconsin as compared with their other business locations, particularly other areas in the Midwest. A study commissioned by the Greater Milwaukee Business Foundation on Health found health care costs in southeast Wisconsin were 39 percent above the Midwest average in 2003. The CEOs realized something needed to be done if the region was going to thrive economically and maintain jobs.
They also understood no one employer was large enough to influence the health care market. Ultimately, 11 corporations with headquarters in southeast Wisconsin and two other existing coalitions founded BHCG in 2003 as a member-owned Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) to collectively explore alternatives and employ a unified strategy to contain health care costs in southeast Wisconsin.
An Evolving Strategy
In January of 2005 BHCG selected Humana to be its medical plan administration partner charged with developing a provider network (Humana Preferred) which was made available to member employers on January 1, 2006.
In 2013, as a result of a rigorous strategic planning process to maintain BHCG’s successful track record, the decision was made to replace Humana with UnitedHealthcare, effective January 1, 2016. BHCG's strategy was to offer an innovative health plan using UnitedHealthcare's broad network to strengthen consumer and provider accountability.
BHCG’s member employers believe high quality, cost-effective health care is a key element to making Wisconsin a great place to do business. In 2018 BHCG’s executive leadership, with assistance from outside experts, embarked on a strategic planning process to define the direction of the organization for the next three to five years to:
- Demonstrate responsible corporate citizenship by improving health care value for member employers, their employees and dependents, and the community.
- Identify and contract with best in class strategic partners who are committed to creating positive change.
Reimagining Health Care
BHCG’s strategic planning process ultimately led the organization to partner with Centivo to develop and administer a high-performance health plan to reduce costs through a shared effort by employers and health care provider communities that would feature better alignment and accountability for both sides. Centivo worked with health systems and provider groups to create a health plan, effective January 1, 2022, that identifies high value providers and rewards those providers for value, not volume.
Centivo works with employers to direct patients to high value providers and encourages coordinated care through the use of a primary care physician (PCP). The development of strong relationships with PCPs helps plan members navigate the health care system. The result is better health care choices and more predictable costs.
The Power of Partnership
Integral to the BHCG value proposition is its ever-growing number of solutions to help employers more effectively manage their benefit programs. Working with best in class strategic partners, BHCG’s diverse portfolio of employer solutions aligns with BHCG’s mission to improve health care value. Presently, BHCG's best in class strategic partners include:
Navitus Health Solutions
Teladoc
Artemis By Nomi Health
Quantum Health
Membership Opportunities
Membership in BHCG is available to employers throughout Wisconsin and on a nationwide basis. Presently employers of all sizes participate in BHCG.
Access a listing of BHCG member employers.