Healthcare affordability remains a top concern for employers. Many are looking for ways to manage costs without taking on the added complexity and risk of self-funding. Max Performance Plus (MPP) from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) offers a practical option that balances predictability with the opportunity for better performance.
Why Employers Are Rethinking Funding Strategies Now
Employers today face rising healthcare costs and tighter budgets. Renewals remain high, risk tolerance is low and interest in level funding continues to grow—along with questions about complexity and risk.
Employers are seeking solutions that:
- Protect budgets without disrupting operations
- Offer predictable costs with fewer year-end surprises
- Provide a manageable approach without sacrificing performance potential
How Max Performance Plus Works
MPP is a fully insured funding arrangement designed for employer groups in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia with 51 or more eligible employees. It integrates with all CareFirst medical and pharmacy plans and supports organizations looking for predictable premiums with earlier access to potential upside.
Here’s how MPP helps:
- Stable payments: Employers pay a fixed monthly premium with no exposure to claims volatility or unexpected year-end adjustments.
- Simple savings: When healthcare costs come in lower than expected, employers may earn a surplus.
- Faster benefits: Surplus payments are issued by e-check on a defined timeline.
By expanding funding choices and offering clearer insight into performance, MPP helps organizations manage healthcare costs while supporting the health and well-being of their workforce.
Why This Matters: Supporting Employee Health and Better Outcomes
Predictability alone doesn’t lower total cost of care—care delivery does. MPP includes built-in, whole-health benefits that support performance day one.
These include a suite of CareFirst clinical and cost-management programs spanning preventive engagement, care navigation, virtual access and pharmacy cost control. Tools like the Blue Rewards member-incentive program, $0 Virtual Connect Plus and condition management programs also help improve outcomes, reduce avoidable utilization and contribute to the opportunity for surplus.
More Transparency To Manage Total Cost of Care
Access to clear data is essential for managing healthcare spend. Employer groups in MPP can access claims-experience reporting that supports more informed conversations between brokers, employers and CareFirst about what’s driving cost and where action can help.
Looking Ahead
Max Performance Plus is one way CareFirst is advancing healthcare transformation—pairing stable funding with programs and insights that help improve outcomes, strengthen access and bend the cost curve over time.
For organizations seeking predictability without giving up the opportunity to benefit from strong performance, MPP offers a balanced approach.
Learn more about Max Performance Plus and how it’s helping employers realize potential savings:
- Employers: Talk to your CareFirst Sales Representative or broker.
- Brokers & Consultants: Contact your CareFirst Account Consultant.
To learn more about how we’re advancing whole-person health through innovative care, visit carefirst.com/transformation.