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Press Releases
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Press ReleaseIndependence Blue Cross's Disease Management Program Reduces Medical Cost Trends by 1.5 to 2 PercentIBC reveals first year program results Philadelphia, PA - April 25, 2006 - A recently completed study demonstrates that Independence Blue Cross’s program to help members manage the five most common chronic illnesses improves member health and produces significant medical cost savings. The evaluation found IBC’s ConnectionsSM Health Management Program – a disease management program that supports people with diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease – lowered medical cost trends by 1.5 to 2 percent. The study was conducted by Independence Blue Cross. The study’s methodology was reviewed and validated by Reden & Anders, an independent actuarial firm. Over 235,000 IBC members have at least one of the five most common chronic illnesses, and 98 percent of them participate in the Connections program. "Independence Blue Cross is dedicated to the health of our members,” said Joseph A. Frick, IBC president and CEO. "This analysis proves that our Connections Health Management Program provides a win-win outcome—our members are satisfied with the program and have fewer complications from disease, plus the financial results are positive.” Said Esther Nash, MD, IBC senior medical director, who manages the Connections program: “We intuitively believed that providing extra resources to our members with chronic conditions would keep them healthier and in better control of their illness, and now we have a thorough financial evaluation that shows our investment in disease management through Connections kept members healthier and produced real savings too.” IBC’s Connections Health Management Program provides members with access to a health coach 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Health coaches are specially trained health care professionals, including nurses, dieticians, and respiratory therapists, who help members understand their conditions and consider their options, so they can engage in more productive conversation with their physicians. The program also provides educational materials, health reminders, and access to an encyclopedia of health information to help members become more informed about their conditions. Through Connections, members become more knowledgeable health care consumers and can improve their quality of life, reducing complications that can result in increased inpatient and emergency room admissions. The program is delivered through an alliance with Health Dialog, a leading provider of care management services. IBC’s Connections Health Management Program is available to fully-insured HMO, PPO and self-insured groups, as well as to Medicare members in Keystone Health Plan East, Personal Choice, Keystone 65 and Personal Choice 65 plans. “I’m healthier because of the Connections Program,” said David Beatty, 45, who has diabetes and has participated in Connections since mid-2005. “My health coach sends me valuable information about my blood sugar levels and nutritional guidelines, which I try to follow. I’ve been checking my blood glucose level on a daily basis and it’s been stable.” The results of the evaluation of the impact of Connections show cost savings, medical outcomes and member satisfaction figures: Cost Savings
IBC began its current Connections program for the five common chronic diseases in 2003. Since then, Connections health management support has expanded to a total of 21 chronic and complex conditions, including end stage renal disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, the Connections program offers health coaching and educational resources for members making decisions about treatment options – such as whether or not to have surgery – and handling everyday health concerns. About Independence Blue CrossIndependence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Independence Blue Cross recently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO and PPO health care plans. In addition, in 2005, Independence Blue Cross’s Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its Keystone HMO was ranked the No. 1 HMO in the region by health care consumers in a leading independent consumer magazine. About Health DialogHealth Dialog is a leading provider of care management services, including disease management, and is one of the fastest growing privately held firms in the
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