DETROIT, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Two million Michigan residents with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or Blue Care Network coverage now have free online access to an interactive, personalized health appraisal tool that can help them identify health risk factors and help them lead healthier lives.
The online tool was developed by the Michigan Blues with assistance from a population health management company, HealthAtoZ, and the prestigious University of Michigan Health Management Research Center. The feature is an enhancement to the Blues’ existing comprehensive health management program called BlueHealthConnection(R).
“We are excited about the opportunity to give so many individuals in our state an up close and personal appraisal of their health status and risks to begin their new year. This highly confidential appraisal is designed to be the first step in a process that gives consumers greater control over their health,” said Karen Maher, Blues vice president of Medical Management.
Maher said the new tools give members immediate feedback that can be used to develop personal action plans, track and monitor progress online and subscribe to personal health education materials, and other tools that help members stay well or better manage chronic health problems.
Dr. Douglas Woll, Blue Care Network’s senior vice president and chief medical officer, describes the overall program as “one of the many critical tools in the Blues’ mission to better arm members with access to timely, accurate and meaningful information and assistance to improve their health.”
Woll said the Blues are also taking steps to raise awareness among physicians of the kind of support that BlueHealthConnection programs can offer to their patients.
Chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis and heart problems have reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. Some industry analysts identify the problem as one of the major challenges for our century. Maher said the need to place tools in the hands of consumers that strengthen and support their interactions with health care professionals will only grow as our population ages and the incidence of chronic disease continues to mount.
Not only can such tools improve health for individuals, they can also help hold down the costs of health care. HealthAtoZ representatives say research consistently proves access to electronic health and medical information and counseling programs leads to lower health care costs by making employees better informed medical consumers. They cite a report that showed test companies achieved a return on investment over time of between $2.30 and $6 for every dollar spent on the programs in the studies.
“These types of tools can help decrease unplanned absenteeism and increase productivity by helping workers achieve optimal health. This is a good investment in the long run,” Maher said.
The Blues said individuals who are not computer savvy or just don’t have access to a computer can complete a paper health appraisal.
Michigan Blues employees are among those who will be able to use the new tool.
“I find the online personal health record feature convenient for keeping track of my most recent exam and lab results. I’m looking forward to watching for improvement, or talking to my doctor about follow-up action, if the indicators show I could be heading for a slip in my health,” said Michigan Blues employee Jaime Curto. More than 8,000 Blues employees are being encouraged to complete the survey this month.
BlueHealthConnection appraisal takers can view their reports and appraisal results as often as they like. The online appraisal can be taken every six months. For the most thorough findings, members should have the following information on hand when they log in for the 15-minute appraisal questionnaire:
* Most recent blood pressure readings * Cholesterol levels * Date of last checkup * Recent vaccination dates * Recent screening test dates
Blues members whose health plan is underwritten (fully insured) by the Blues automatically qualify for the assessment (unless their group opts out of the program). Members in larger companies that self-insure and contract with the Blues to administer their coverage have the option of whether to add BlueHealthConnection and these new tools to their range of benefits. Approximately 2 million Michigan Blue plan members will have the online service.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit corporation, provides or administers health care benefits to nearly 4.8 million members through a variety of plans: Traditional Blue Cross Blue Shield; Blue Preferred, Community Blue and Healthy Blue PPOs; Blue Choice Point of Service; Blue Care Network HMO, and Blue HSA(SM) plans compatible with health savings accounts. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit http://www.bcbsm.com/ .
About HealthAtoZ
HealthAtoZ, a population health management company based in Monmouth Junction, N.J., provides customized Web-based solutions and consulting for hospitals and integrated delivery networks, health plans, pharmacy benefit management companies, employer groups, and e-pharmacy sites. Founded in 1995, HealthAtoZ pioneered Internet personalization of health care, online disease and condition management programs and intuitive, interactive e-health tools. Visit http://www.healthatoz.com/ for more information about HealthAtoZ’s Health Portals, personalized programs, health information and interactive tools.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Blue Care Network
CONTACT: Helen Stojic, +1-313-225-8113, or Yvonne Johnson,+1-313-225-5643, mediarelations@bcbsm.com , both of Blue Cross Blue Shield ofMichigan