Berlin, VT – Dr. Joshua Plavin, Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross), will share his perspective on the use of acupuncture as part of a whole-person approach to pain care at a conference of international experts at the University of Vermont this summer.
Dr. Plavin will join representatives of the University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich, the RAND Corporation/Pardee RAND Graduate School, and the Department of Vermont Health Access on a panel focusing on acupuncture as an alternative to prescription opioids for pain management. Plavin has been leading Blue Cross’s participation in a pilot program at the UVM Medical Center Comprehensive Pain Clinic exploring the use of acupuncture and other methods of pain control in an effort to reduce dependence on opioids.
The panel is part of the Society for Acupuncture Research’s (SAR) 2019 conference, “Acupuncture Research, Health Care Policy & Community Health: Closing the Loop” June 27-29 in Burlington. SAR sponsors biannual conferences on research advances and issues in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Blue Cross’s support of the event, and Plavin’s participation, underscore Blue Cross’s ongoing commitment to working collaboratively to combat the opioid crisis in Vermont. Information on the conference is available at http://bit.ly/SARconference.
“Blue Cross has worked to facilitate new approaches to pain management, including acupuncture,” Plavin explains. “This work includes developing global payment structures to allow treatment flexibility, along with improved patient care and outcomes.” He cites evidence-based studies that have shown how acupuncture can be an effective therapy for chronic pain management.
Plavin received his MD and MPH degrees from New York Medical College and his MBA from Brandeis University. He is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, having completed his clinical training at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and the University of Michigan Health System. Prior to joining Blue Cross, Plavin practiced clinically at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph and served there as attending physician, Chief of the Medical Staff, and Medical Director. He continues to practice clinically on a part time basis. His focus is on improving clinical outcomes and value in the health care system through applying new knowledge at the intersection of medical and management science.
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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the only health insurance plan located in Vermont. For over 70 years, we have been enhancing the health and well-being of the people we serve by offering innovative plans to individuals, seniors and businesses. We are dedicated to developing new ways to support high quality care and programs and events that promote wellness. For more information, visit bcbsvt.com. Connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Twitter for more up-to-date information. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.