Healthy Options Program Expands To Help Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Kansas Members Who Have High Blood Pressure/High Cholesterol

August 22, 2008

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is expanding its selection of Healthy Options care management programs to include one designed for members who want help managing their high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Healthy Options programs offer members ages 21 to 63 educational materials relevant to their chronic conditions and one-on-one support from a dedicated nurse care manager. The personalized, voluntary and confidential program reinforces the doctor's treatment plan and covers such topics as medications, exercise, nutrition, diet and potential risk factors.

"The philosophy of our care management program is to help members understand and manage their chronic condition in order for them to lead healthier lives and, hopefully, lower their risk for serious complications," said Mary Beth Chambers, manager of corporate communications and a spokesperson for the company. "Healthy Options empowers participants to make informed decisions about their health through education, coaching, support, and use of available resources and tools.

"These programs are an important component of improving our members' health and controlling health care costs," she said.

The newest Healthy Options program focuses on hypertension and hyperlipidemia (high blood pressure and high cholesterol) and was developed because of the prevalence of these conditions among BCBSKS members. Intervention during the earlier stages of these diseases can prevent or delay the onset of serious health problems such as heart attack and stroke, kidney failure, aneurysms, blindness and hardening of the arteries.

Participating members receive educational materials relevant to their chronic conditions and a dedicated nurse care manager calls periodically to discuss the importance of following the doctor's treatment plan and provides information on nutrition, diet, exercise, medications and potential risk factors.

Members who are interested in participating in this, or any other Healthy Options program, should call 1-800-520-3137. BCBSKS also offers Healthy Options care management programs for members, ages 21 to 63, who have who have asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSKS is the state's largest health insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. http://www.bcbsks.com/index.htm