Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan


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BlueHealthConnection

BlueHealthConnection is a full suite of wellness and care management services that allows for proactive, integrated approach to total well-being of the whole person. It connects with members across entire continuum of healthcare needs, from Low-Risk/Wellness to Existing Chronic Conditions and Catastrophic Conditions.

  • Because BCBSM directly manages both the Wellness/Care Management program and the claims experience of our customers, it gives us a strong capability to effectively model risk.
  • Cost follows risk. Through BHC, the Blues are able to intervene, disrupting and reversing the flow of risk from low to high. There is a clear connection between risk and excessive medical costs. Annual costs for high-risk individuals without intervention are nearly 44 percent more than cost of low-risk individual. BCBSM is working with customers and members to stop and reverse the process.
  • BlueHealthConnection core components include:
    • E-Health portal with a host of online resources, including online health assessment, online health coaching, personal dashboards, self-care guides, drug interaction guides and disease and condition encyclopedia
    • 24/7 Nurse Call Line
    • Quit the Nic smoking cessation program
    • Chronic Condition management
    • Affinity Programs (like acupuncture and nutrition counseling)
    • Access to discount network of health- and safety-related products
  • BHC has identification and intervention programs for conditions including asthma, back pain, depression, diabetes, cancer, COPD, and congestive heart failure. We touch 100 percent of the chronic condition population with at least 1-6 mailings and target highest-risk population with higher intensity interventions.
  • Since launch in 2002, BHC has shown overall savings of over $30 million in annual benefit cost savings per year.

Overall satisfaction consistently over 90 percent among members with a strong majority reporting that the program has improved their care provider interactions and moved them to action in terms of health improvement

Consultative Tailoring

BCBSM offers Consultative Tailoring to its large customer groups to customize successful wellness and care management solutions.

  • Consultative Tailoring differentiates us from other health insurance companies. We assist our customers in creating wellness programs that drive cultural change in the workplace. We tailor wellness/care management components based on employers' needs, help identify risk and prevalence of existing chronic conditions in their population, review their short- and long-term goals. A state-of-the-art analytic decision model is used by expert wellness and care management consultants to craft appropriate health plan wellness and care management programs and consulting services.
  • BCBSM is working in conjunction with D.W. Edington, Ph.D., director of the University of Michigan Health Management Research Center, to establish methods to best create, implement and measure how customized wellness solutions can help large customer groups achieve their goals of controlling medical costs and improving productivity.
  • The Healthy Blue Living HMO product introduced in latter part of 2006 has demonstrated success in helping people with smoking cessation, weight loss, lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Health coaching, financial rewards for healthier members, and support tools help members achieve their wellness goals. Healthy Blue Living enrollment is pushing the 100,000 member plateau.
  • Long term medical care management of a person's health provides a holistic approach to wellness and prevention. It also reinforces BCBSM's drive to create cultural changes in behavior so people lead healthier lives. Building and improving the doctor and patient relationship will ensure better quality care, more efficiency, and less cost.