‘It’s Better All the Way Around’: Changing How Primary Care Docs Are Paid

MedPage Today October 1, 2025
Joyce Frieden

The head of California Blue Shield’s parent company discusses physician payment and a new PBM

With all the changes to the healthcare sector — from vaccine recommendations to efforts to crack down on pharmacy benefit managers — how are health insurers responding?

MedPage Today Washington Editor Joyce Frieden talked with Paul Markovich, CEO of Ascendiun, a healthcare company based in California, about how his company — which includes Blue Shield of California — is meeting the challenges. The phone interview, which was conducted with a press person present, has been edited for length and clarity.

Tell us about Ascendiun. What sort of company is it?

Markovich: It’s the nonprofit parent company [of three companies]. One is the nonprofit [health insurer]...

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