Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Illinois Introduces Innovative Medical Management Program

CHICAGO, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, in response to the demand of consumerism and continued increases in health care costs, has developed an innovative medical care management program that gives all members the tools and resources needed to help them take charge of their health, while at the same time targeting the small segment of the population that generates the greatest portion of medical expenses.

"Studies have shown that 20 percent of the workforce generates 80 percent of a company's health care costs," said Gail Boudreaux, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. "This program is a way to help employers target this source of rising health care costs, while also helping all employees be healthier and more productive in their daily lives and at work."

Through Blue Care Connection, all members can access a Personal Health Manager, an interactive resource of Web tools and information to help them learn more about health conditions and ultimately make more informed health care decisions. As part of Personal Health Manager, members can take a health risk assessment and set up a personal health record that can be shared with designated physicians, family members and others. Members can also access online health materials and receive targeted wellness information and reminders -- for a doctor's appointment, for example -- via secured messaging.

Blue Care Connection also offers a more comprehensive package for employers and their employees, called Blue Care Advisor, which has all the resources and benefits of the Personal Health Manager, as well as several additional online interactive features. For example, through Blue Care Advisor, members can ask registered nurses -- known as Care Advisors -- health-related questions online through Ask A Nurse or they can get exercise guidance through the online Ask a Trainer feature.

And the Healthy Expectations program, also part of Blue Care Advisor, will guide members through pregnancy and postpartum care with educational materials and support, including access to a 24-hour, toll-free BabyLine staffed by maternity nurses and an online health information library.

"We realize employers have different needs based on their workforce," said Dr. Stan Borg, chief medical officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. "So we're offering them a suite of medical management programs to fit a variety of situations."

Blue Care Connection provides health care management to all members, but it targets cost management efforts on the small percentage of the population that generates the greatest portion of health care costs, educating those members with chronic conditions on what steps they need to take to help keep themselves healthy by better managing their condition.

Using predictive modeling and analyzing group-specific utilization, members at risk are identified and then engaged in wellness initiatives, health counseling, care management and case/disease management. "We identify potential member-specific gaps in care, and then help close those gaps," said Dr. Borg. "With the predictive modeling tool and proactive outreach, we have the ability to increase participation in our Care Coordination programs. Chronically ill members will receive the extra resources, intervention and attention they need to help improve their health status and quality of life."

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (HCSC), is the largest and most experienced health insurance company in Illinois. It began in 1936 as Hospital Service Corporation with the Blue Cross symbol officially adopted in 1939. Currently, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois provides health insurance coverage for 6.5 million people.

HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

CONTACT: Tony Rau of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois,+1-312-653-6701

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