Dr. Duane J. DiFranco MD

Duane J. DiFranco, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist and is currently Vice President of Medicare Stars and Clinical Performance at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Dr. DiFranco is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and received his MD degree from the University of Michigan, where he also completed his residency training in psychiatry.

Dr. DiFranco has been active within managed care for the past 20 years. Before joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Dr. DiFranco was Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan. During a ten-year tenure there, he led a managed behavioral health care organization through its first NCQA accreditation. He has overseen the carve in of behavioral health services at two managed care organizations, including Blue Care Network, Michigan’s largest HMO.

Over the past 8 years, Dr. DiFranco’s experience has extended beyond managed behavioral healthcare. He has extensive experience overseeing utilization management, provider relations, medical policy and quality improvement for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. He currently oversees the Stars quality and clinical performance for the nation’s largest Medicare Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan.

Dr. DiFranco remains active in his community outside of work. He has served on the boards of several charitable organizations and, in 2020, was elected President of the Michigan Psychiatric Society, a professional society that strives to ensure quality care for people with mental disorders and their families through promotion of education, research, and advocacy.