• Communications

• Policies and Guidelines

• Claims and Billing

• Interactive Tools and Resources

• Pharmacy Information

• Resources for Patient Management

• H1N1 Information
• Quality Management
• Worksheets, Forms, and Guides
• Internet Resources & Bulletins
• Interventions and Reminders
• Healthy Lifestyles
• Connections Health Management Programs
• SilverSneakers Fitness Program
• Case Management

• Physician Advisory Committee

• Contact Information

Connections^SM Health Management Programs

The Connections Health Management Programs are designed to help providers and their patients manage chronic conditions and to help patients make more informed decisions about certain significant medical conditions. The Connections programs provide objective information based on evidence from nationally recognized sources. The following document lists phone numbers for providers to reach these programs directly:

Connections Programs Provider Contact Summary

Connections Programs Summary Report

This report summarizes the chronic condition and decision support programs and their outcomes:

2009 Connections Annual Update

Features of Connections Programs

Connections Health Management Program

Connections offers disease management support to members with the following conditions:

• asthma
• coronary heart disease (CHD)
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• heart failure
• diabetes
• migraine
• hypertension
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• peptic ulcer disease (PUD)

Health Coaches also offer decision support to members facing treatment decisions for certain conditions. Health Coaches help members work effectively with their physicians to make “shared decisions” that are right for them.

For more information, download the Connections Introduction Letter.

The best way to refer a patient for Health Coaching is to complete the Connections Physician’s Referral Form and fax it to the Connections Health Management Program at 1-800-276-3075. Providers can also call the program to make a patient referral at 1-866-866-4694. You can also have your members call 1-800-ASK-BLUE (1-800-275-2583) to speak with a Health Coach directly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SMART^® Registry Reports and Instructions for Use

Physicians who have patients with one or more of the common chronic diseases of the program will receive a report that summarizes key aspects of care. Reports are provided at patient-level and practice-level, as well as compared to overall network.

Providers with 11 or more Independence Blue Cross patients with a chronic condition receive the SMART Registry on CD. To ensure the safety of our members’ protected health information, these CDs are now password-protected. Providers can look up their password on the NaviNet^® web portal by selecting Reference Material and Reports from the Plan Transactions menu and then selecting SMART Registry Password.

Sample of a small SMART Registry sent to practices with fewer than 11 Independence Blue Cross patients with a chronic condition.

Sample of a large SMART Registry sent to practices with 11 or more Independence Blue Cross patients with a chronic condition.

Connections^SM Shared Decision-Making^® Program

The Connections Shared Decision-Making Program offers physicians the resources to enhance doctor/patient dialog and make better-informed decisions. This brochure also includes information on and a list of the Shared Decision Making videos available to your eligible members who are facing an important medical decision, such as surgery, treatment options, or end of life issues.

 Description of Connections Shared Decision-Making Program

 List of available Shared Decision Making videos as of August 2008

Connections Tools for providers and their patients

The following are some of the tools available to all providers to use with their patients. For more information or for additional quantities, please contact a Connections Provider Service Specialist at 1-866-866-4694.

•  PHQ-9 depression screening questionnaire
•  BMI resource card
•  Health Coach brochure
•  General Awareness handout

Diabetes

•  Microalbuminuria brochure

Heart conditions

•  Heart Failure symptom response plan
•  Cardiometabolic risk FAQs
•  Beta Blocker brochure

Asthma

•  Asthma symptom response plan
•  FAQ on inhaled steroid medications for asthma
•  Controllers and asthma management
•  Asthma triggers
•  Patient handout – How to use a metered-dose inhaler
•  Patient handout – How to use a metered-dose inhaler with a mask spacer
•  Patient handout – How to use a metered-dose inhaler with a space

Connections^SM AccordantCare^TM Program

The Connections AccordantCare Program provides resources to help providers manage Independence Blue Cross patients with complex chronic conditions including:

For more information, download the  Connections AccordantCare Introduction Letter or the  Connections AccordantCare brochure.

Connections Program Provider Rights and Responsibilities

Connections Health Management Programs Provider Rights and Responsibilities