Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease Improves Quality of Care

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

In 1997, Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Pittsburgh, PA became the first health insurer in the country to provide the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease as a covered benefit for its members. This Program has been shown to slow, stop and reverse heart disease, the number one killer of adults in the United States. Highmark BCBS's decision to bring the Ornish Program to its members was rooted in the company's mission to help members live longer, healthier lives through partnerships between patients, healthcare providers and health plans.

Program Elements

The program's four components include:

• a nutrition plan based on low-fat, whole foods
  
  
• moderate exercise, including strength training
  
  
• stress management
  
  
• group support

Aspects of these components are applied according to a patient's clinical risk and are practiced together to improve the participant's physical health and quality of life. 

Program Results

• In 2001, Highmark BCBS partnered with Mountain State Blue Cross and Blue Shield of West Virginia and initiated the nation's first statewide, hospital-based outpatient Ornish program. This collaboration is noteworthy considering West Virginia has the highest incidence of heart disease in the nation — 21 percent higher than any other state.
  
  
• Highmark BCBS has partnered with additional hospitals and Blue Plans in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Nebraska, bringing the total number of sites where members can access the Ornish Program to 16.
  
  
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has become a master licensee, and will implement a statewide Ornish network of six hospitals in 2004.
  
  
• Medical management analyses conducted in 2003 by Highmark BCBS demonstrate that, based on claims analysis, there are significant and consistent utilization and cost reductions following program participation.

Contact

Aaron Walton, Senior Vice President, Community Affairs, 412-544-5439, aaron.walton@highmark.com