Blue Cross And Blue Shield Companies Recognized For Excellence And Innovation In Internal Auditing
May 21, 2008
CHICAGO – The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) has recognized four Blue Cross and Blue Shield company programs as 2008 Best of Blue® Internal Audit Award winners.
In its fourth year, the Best of Blue Internal Audit Awards program highlights Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies nationwide for excellence and innovation in internal auditing. As leaders in the healthcare community, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are committed to implementing initiatives that will improve the overall quality and value of healthcare in an effort to make healthcare coverage more affordable to all Americans.
The 2008 Best of Blue Internal Audit winners are:
Traditional Audit Category
Health Care Service Corporation (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas)
Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) implemented a six-step continuous audit approach and an electronic auditing tool to test monthly operating expense transactions. The approach resulted in a cost effective method that provides management with a comprehensive audit assurance over the processing of operational expenses, allowing for HCSC to review daily operations in real-time.
BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and BlueShield of Northeastern New York
As required by New York state, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and BlueShield of Northeastern New York interprets, calculates, reports and remits the company's Health Care Reform Act responsibilities. To do this more efficiently, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and BlueShield of Northeastern New York implemented a new management software program and developed a set of audit objectives. This new internal audit initiative helped BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and BlueShield of Northeastern New York realize greater efficiencies and overall savings.
Non-Traditional Audit Category
The Regence Group (Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah, Regence BlueShield in Washington and Regence BlueShield of Idaho)
The Regence Group's internal audit team implemented a non-traditional audit focused on branding and product development. Audit testing included extensive interviews with management and consultants, as well as a thorough review of strategic planning. Effective product development lifecycles were created resulting in a number of efforts, including a redesign of the company's Web site, a more rigorous product lifecycle approval process, and the addition of senior brand leadership.
Health Care Service Corporation (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas)
HCSC's internal audit organization developed a collaborative partnership with its information technology department to increase compliance with the National Association of Insurance Commissioner's model audit rule (MAR). In 2010, MAR will begin to require companies with more than $500 million in premium revenue to adhere to specific maturity levels of IT governance and general controls. Through this process, HCSC was able to avoid significant resource constraints and increases in its operational budget.
Best of Blue Internal Audit entries were judged by an external panel of industry-recognized experts. Selected winners were chosen on the following criteria: measurable results, innovative audit techniques and approach, and potential for program to be replicated by other Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.
The winning initiatives exemplify what Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are doing nationwide to address the cost of care and improve healthcare quality, and represent a key component of BCBSA's new comprehensive proposal, "The Pathway to Covering America: Ensuring Quality, Value and Access." The proposal is a five-part plan that builds on the employer-based system to promote better quality care, keep healthcare affordable and improve access to coverage.
More examples of initiatives by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to improve quality and value are highlighted in “The Pathway to Covering America,” and can be found at: www.bcbs.com/issues/uninsured/pathway-to-covering-america/.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is made up of 39 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for nearly 102 million Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit www.BCBS.com.
