PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Blue Cross (IBC) has introduced a new pilot program to improve member health and enhance the patient/physician relationship. The program is the latest offering for members in IBC’s Connections(SM) Health Management Program.
About 5,000 members with chronic conditions who participate in IBC’s health management and decision support programs will receive a Dialog Journal(TM) Health Guide -- a tool that makes it easier for a member to manage a chronic disease by providing the member’s personal health and treatment information in one accessible guide.
The Dialog Journal, co-developed with Health Dialog, a key partner in IBC’s disease management and decision support programs, allows a member to document medications and provider visits, provides tailored information about the tests and treatments based on IBC claims and pharmacy information, and suggests key questions to ask the physician to learn to better manage a particular health condition. Members are encouraged to discuss the information in their health guides with their physicians. Results from the pilot will determine future use of the Dialog Journal.
“Independence Blue Cross is committed to enhancing our members’ health,” said Esther Nash, MD, IBC Senior Medical Director, Health Management Programs. “Providing relevant, tailored information in an easy-to-read, readily accessible guidebook is just one more way we can help our members manage their health and be active partners in their own health care.”
IBC’s Connections(SM) Programs provide disease management for 21 chronic conditions, decision support, health coaching and educational resources to members facing treatment decisions or everyday health concerns. Connections(SM) Health Coaches -- specially trained professionals, including nurses, dietitians, and respiratory therapists -- are available to eligible members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Health Dialog is a leading provider of care management services, including disease management, and is one of the fastest growing privately held firms in the U.S. Health Dialog helps individuals become more actively engaged in their healthcare and have more effective relationships with their physicians. For more information about Health Dialog, please visit http://www.healthdialog.com.
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.5 million people.
This year, Independence Blue Cross’s Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its Keystone HMO was ranked as the No. 1 HMO in the region by health care consumers in a leading independent consumer magazine.
For more than 65 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered quality health care products and services tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, groups and providers. For more information on Independence Blue Cross, visit our website at http://www.ibx.com.
Independence Blue Cross
CONTACT: Liz Williams of Independence Blue Cross, +1-215-241-2220