EAGAN, Minn., July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross), in partnership with American Healthways, announces support for two additional chronic health conditions -- chronic kidney diseases (CKD) and cancer, available for the first time in Minnesota. As part of its groundbreaking BluePrint for Health(R) care support programs, Blue Cross is also offering a new high risk care management program for people with even more specialized needs.
“These new features expand the coverage of the most comprehensive disease management program in the nation to 160,000 people, and should increase the already impressive savings realized in the first 18 months for the existing programs,” said Dr. Bill Gold, chief medical officer and vice president for Blue Cross. “The program works by helping people live their healthiest, so they avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room and hospital with an enhanced quality of life.”
Comprehensive
The programs provide phone-based nurse support to individuals at all risk levels, and their doctors, for 33 health conditions and chronic diseases, including commonly supported conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. In addition to those conditions, Blue Cross serves members with conditions such as low back pain, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. Blue Cross reaches almost 17 percent of a purchaser’s health plan members. Typical disease management programs reach less than eight percent and cover about half the conditions of Blue Cross’ programs.
Proven Outcomes
The first-year results for BluePrint for Health care support not only show significant cost savings but also improved health results.
-- Return for every dollar invested in this program over the first 18 months was greater than 2:1, with estimated claims savings at nearly $500 for each member enrolled. -- Blue Cross saw an 11 percent drop in the rate of emergency room visits and a 14 percent decrease in the overall rate of hospital admissions for members in these programs, compared with the previous year’s members with these conditions. Expansion of program -- Chronic Kidney Disease -- The goal of the CKD program is to help members manage their condition, avoid complications and prevent or postpone the progression to end stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD results in lifelong kidney dialysis and other health complications. According to the National Kidney Foundation, nearly 11 percent of the U.S. population -- approximately 20 million people -- suffer from CKD, while another 20 million are at serious risk of developing it. -- Cancer (Oncology) -- The oncology program delivers support and service for members and caregivers with one of nine different types of cancer -- brain, colorectal, esophageal, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic and stomach cancers, and carcinomas of unknown primary origins. These specific cancers were included because of their complex treatment plans, need for educational support on treatment plans, side-effects and clinical trial options. They were also chosen because of other psycho-social needs such as hospice options and end of life issues. -- High-Risk Care Management -- This program manages a very select “high risk” population by using state-of-the-art predictive modeling to identify members. These members will receive more intensive, personalized telephonic nurse support to help prevent major illness, avoidable hospitalizations and re-admissions, and other complications.
The new programs are available for fully insured members beginning July 1; self-insured customers can purchase them for Jan. 1. Blue Cross expands the BluePrint for Health care support program based on feedback from providers and employers and their ability to improve outcomes and impact members’ quality of life. In addition to the three new programs offered by Blue Cross, a depression and anxiety program will be available in early 2005.
BluePrint for Health care support is administered through a partnership with American Healthways, the nation’s leading and largest provider of disease management, care enhancement and high-risk health management services proven to improve the quality of health care and lower costs.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota’s first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A not-for-profit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.6 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
CONTACT: Joel Swanson, +1-651-662-2882, pager, +1-651-629-3961, orMaerenn Ball, +1-651-662-1443, both of Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofMinnesota
