Premera Blue Cross Introduces Enhanced Disease Management Program
New Research Shows Significant Health And Costs Benefits Of Faster Outreach
October 25, 2007
|
Contact:
|
|
Mark W. Stuart
425.918.3297
|
Mountlake Terrace, WA – Based on research demonstrating that quicker contact equals better health and lower costs, Premera Blue Cross announced today a significant enhancement of its disease management program that reduces the time needed to identify members who can benefit from disease management from an industry average of 120 days down to a range of 10-14 days for certain conditions.
According to research conducted by Healthways Inc., (NASDAQ: HWAY) Premera's disease management vendor, members incur two to four times more hospital admissions, emergency room visits and healthcare costs in the first 90 days after diagnosis than later in their course of care. During this period a member's monthly healthcare costs are 44 percent higher than later in their care.
Because this innovative approach to member engagement identifies newly diagnosed members in days instead of months after initial diagnosis, Premera can reach out to these members earlier in the care process and positively affect their health status and reduce overall healthcare costs.
The program enhancement is made possible by an exclusive arrangement between Healthways and Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) which reviews and sends relevant pharmacy data from Medco directly to Healthways. Through this process, Premera's disease managers immediately reach out to members newly diagnosed with certain conditions by their pharmacy claims.
The benefit to Premera members goes beyond faster outreach. The research also suggests that members newly diagnosed with certain chronic conditions will have a better long term prognosis if they receive assistance soon after their initial diagnosis.
"Today, we spend three out of every four health-care dollars treating chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes," said John Castiglia, M.D., Premera's Chief Medical Officer. "Programs that help people achieve better health can also slow the rising cost of providing benefits for individuals and groups struggling to pay for care. With this enhancement, we are better able to reach those who can most benefit from this added level of support."
Premera's disease management program offers clinical support to more than 55,000 members managing chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and asthma. Participants have regular contact with a registered nurse who provides specialized support for their condition. In addition, members have access to Medco specialist pharmacists who are specially trained and certified in the medications that treat their chronic condition.
This enhanced disease management capability is available from Premera and its affiliates in Washington, Alaska, Oregon and Arizona. Disease management services are available to the company's members nationwide.
About Premera Blue Cross
Our mission is to provide peace of mind to our members about their health-care coverage. We provide health care coverage and related services to more than 1.3 million people. Premera Blue Cross has operated in Washington since 1933, and Alaska since 1952. Premera Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Premera Blue Cross is a member of a family of companies based in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, that provide health, life, vision, dental, and long-term care insurance, and other related services. In the J. D. Power 2007 National Health Insurance Plan Satisfaction Study, Premera Blue Cross ranked highest among health plans (regional and national companies) serving the western U.S. This year was the first time J. D. Power surveyed consumers about health plans. www.premera.com
