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As the largest health insurance company in Oregon,
we are committed to maintaining health programs and
services for the benefit of our members.
Collaboration with physicians and other health care
professionals is an important feature of our clinical
activities. The following is an overview of our Health
Improvement Activities.
AdviCare
Regence BCBSO has partnered with American Healthways
to work with patients, their families and their physicians
to offer education, coordination and continuing support
to members with specific chronic diseases or health
conditions. Participation in AdviCare is voluntary and
free to patients whose employers purchase the benefit.
Employee groups that currently participate in AdviCare
include the Federal Employee Program (FEP), Oregon School
Board Association (OSBA), and Regence BCBSO. Visit the
AdviCare
section of our Web site for
more information.
Asthma Management
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases for
Regence BCBSO members, ages 4 to 55 years. Our Healthy
Airways™ program helps members with asthma understand
and better manage their condition. The program is provided
free of cost to patients, ages 4 to 55, with asthma.
The program includes an asthma survey, educational materials
and self-management materials. Information is sent to
physicians regarding national treatment guidelines.
Mailings are sent to members at least twice a year.
Breast Cancer Screening
Over 2,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed
each year in Oregon, and nearly 500 women die from the
disease. Early detection is the key to reducing mortality
rates. We send birthday card reminders about breast
cancer screening to women ages 40 to 69 that are enrolled
in one of our Medicare HMO plans (First Choice Sixty-Five
or Preferred Choice Sixty-Five), and have not had a
mammogram in the last 2 years. Educational articles
about preventive care guidelines are published in member
newsletters. We also send nationally recognized preventive
care guidelines to physicians.
Childhood Immunizations
Regence BCBSO is attempting to increase the numbers
of children receiving age-appropriate immunizations.
- Immunization schedules are published in member newsletters
- Postcards are sent to parents of children who are
16 months and 20 months old about preventive exams
and immunizations
- Physicians and other health care professionals receive
updated immunization schedules
Diabetes
Diabetes is the 7th highest ranked disease for all members,
regardless of age or gender. Regence BCBSO’s program
is for members diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type
2 diabetes. Educational materials are sent to members
about diabetes and self-management, including the importance
of testing their blood sugar more than once a day, getting
annual dilated eye exams, and attending diabetes education
classes. Self-monitoring tools are also provided.
Influenza and Pneumococcal Immunizations
for Seniors
Early identification of risk factors can help our case
managers reach out to members at risk of developing
pneumonia and influenza. Pneumonia and influenza rank
as the 5th leading cause of death among persons 65 years
of age and older. Each year we mail flu shot reminder
postcards to households of those 65 and older. Flu shot
clinics are set up at pharmacies, grocery stores, and
as other community sites around the state, offering
flu shots free to our members. Our Flu Shot informational
postcards also have information about pneumococcal immunization.
Pneumococcal immunization is recommended for everyone
age 65 and older.
Senior Health Risk
Appraisals
Early identification of risk factors can help our case
managers reach out to members of First Choice Sixty-Five
to help them better manage their health care. Surveys
are mailed to new members each month, with a follow-up
reminder survey in six weeks to those who did not respond.
High-risk members are contacted by telephone and referred
to case management.
Special Beginnings®
Pregnancy is one of the most common diagnoses for Regence
BCBSO. Our Special Beginnings® prenatal program
is used to identify pregnant women with high risks,
to decrease the number of premature deliveries and low
birth weight infants. The program includes a questionnaire
to assess a woman's health risks; an illustrated prenatal
and child care book; packets of educational materials
tailored to each woman's identified needs; care plan
coordination with physicians; ongoing telephone contact
by a registered nurse with maternity experience; toll-free
access to a nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; and
a gift to use after the baby is delivered.
The Regence Healthy Heart Program
The Regence Healthy Heart Program provides an integrated,
population-based approach to heart disease management.
The program serves members with heart failure (HF) or
who have or are at risk for coronary artery disease
(CAD). The Healthy Heart Program is a member-focused
program. The goals of the member education component
are to help members 1) understand their condition, 2)
improve their self-management skills, 3) manage risk
factors, and 4) adhere to the treatment plan as prescribed
by their physician.
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