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Press Release

Independence Blue Cross Enhances SMART® Registry

Philadelphia, PA - July 26, 2007 - This month, primary care physicians across the region are receiving new and improved electronic medical reports about their patients from Independence Blue Cross (IBC). To support high-quality patient care, IBC is providing physicians with enhanced data about members with chronic conditions, the first such tailored medical reports in the Philadelphia area.

In 2004, IBC introduced these reports, called the SMART® Registry. Today they provide physicians more information than ever before and are available in several convenient formats. Previously the reports included patient information about key clinical tests and treatments that are prescribed for patients with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart failure, coronary artery disease and asthma. Now, not only do the reports indicate whether or not the test was completed, but available results are also included.

The SMART Registry is sent to primary care physicians twice a year for all of IBC’s members with chronic conditions, including those in Medicare plans. The reports include color-coded charts that note whether the member may be in need of a recommended test, procedure or treatment and information about recent hospitalizations, specialist and ER visits.

Dr. Timothy Rodgers, who operates an internal medicine practice in Bryn Mawr, says the enhanced SMART Registry is a “tremendously useful tool” that offers him practical, relevant information about his patients so he can more easily monitor their care.

“We continually look for ways to improve the information we provide physicians and are pleased to offer doctors enhanced clinical data through the SMART Registry,” said Dr. I. Steven Udvarhelyi, IBC senior vice president and chief medical officer. “With optimal use, this tool can help physicians work with their patients to better manage their health. For a person with a chronic condition — like diabetes or asthma — it’s an ongoing challenge to do all that you are supposed to do to get recommended care and treatments and see your doctor regularly to stay well.”

The SMART Registry is an integrated piece of IBC’s Connections program, which allows eligible members 24/7 access to Health Coaches who answer questions by phone, work with the member’s physician, and help the member better manage his or her care. In addition to providing physicians access to useful information about their patients, the SMART Registry gives them a convenient way to refer members to Connections, which is a comprehensive disease management program offering decision support and educational resources.

Doctors can opt to receive the SMART Registry in hard copy or in electronic form, or both. Each practice can sort the data from the electronic version in the manner that is most meaningful or convenient for them.

“I would tell other practices that the hour or so it takes to read the (SMART Registry) instructions and determine the best way to use the data would be well worth it,” Dr. Rodgers said. “Once we figured out how to maximize the reports, we found it to be a tremendously useful tool, especially for our diabetic and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.”

Rodgers noted there are many applications on the market for which doctors are paying significant money, which require hours of data entry, and don’t offer as much relevant information. “The SMART Registry feeds the information to me directly and allows me to generate the reports I need,” said Dr Rodgers. “Using the data is effortless and helps me provide the best care to my patients.”

This innovative tool helps doctors identify the gaps in care, so they can reach out to the patient personally or refer them to a Health Coach through IBC’s Connections. “Another feature of SMART Registry that I like is the pre-drafted letters that my staff uses to remind patients of tests they need to schedule or lab work that still needs to be done,” said Dr. Rodgers. “It is easy and convenient since the letters are already written, and the reminders help ensure the tests get completed.”

Using the SMART Registry, doctors have the ability to compare against practices across the network, through information on key quality indicators, such as HbA1c testing for diabetics, and LDL-C levels for patients with coronary artery disease. This helps physicians compare their practices’ performance to other in-network peers and view trends in care management.

Over time the registries have shown how each practice’s performance has improved. “It is very encouraging to me that my practice has experienced a 30 percent improvement in patient results, according to the reports,” Dr. Rodgers said. “The SMART Registry gives us the chance to see how well we are delivering the quality care we want our patients to receive.”

The SMART Registry, offered through an alliance with Health Dialog, complies with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) regulations that protect the privacy of a patient’s personal health information. Such information is shared only with members’ primary care physicians and sent under a secure seal.

About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For nearly 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals.

In 2006, IBC was nationally recognized by the Disease Management Association of America for Connections, its outstanding disease management program that improves the health and wellbeing of people with chronic illnesses. IBC’s HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

SMART® is a registered trademark of Health Dialog Services Corporation. Used with permission.