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October 2018

Physicians, Blue Cross and BCN agree that healthy lifestyles are key to living well

In October 2017, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan commissioned an independent market research firm, Gongos Research, to conduct an online survey of Blue Cross and Blue Care Network physicians. The objective? To obtain their opinions about patient care, health and wellness programs, the health care industry and more. Over the next year, we’ll be running a series of articles that examine how we’re responding to their attitudes and concerns. This is the first article in the series.

Doctors want their patients to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle by making good decisions about nutrition, physical activity and overall wellness. That was a key finding of a recent survey conducted by Blue Cross. See the chart below for other findings related to health and wellness.

1

** Results show top-two box percent “agree” responses on a five-point scale.

“Blue Cross and Blue Care Network value our relationship with physicians and share in the belief that healthy lifestyles are important for everyone,” said Sherri Dansby, market research manager with Corporate Marketing and Customer Experience. “As part of that belief, Blue Cross strives to give our members the tools they need to succeed in living well.”

Blue Cross and BCN encourage health care providers to remind their patients to create an account at bcbsm.com and download the BCBSM mobile app to access health and wellness resources.

Health and wellness tools
Here’s an overview of some of these tools and programs:

  • The Blue Cross® Health and Wellness website, powered by WebMD®, gives members 24-hour access to current health information and tools, including digital health assistant programs, health trackers and a personal health record.
  • The Blue365® program offers health and wellness deals and discounts exclusively to our members. Blue365 categories include healthy eating, fitness, lifestyle and wellness. Personal care and financial deals are also available to members. Members can access these deals at bcbsm.com and through the BCBSM mobile app.
    • Blue365® discounts on groceries and healthy meal programs give members nutritious food options, such as discounts at Better Health stores, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem. Private weight-loss coaching, nutrition educational resources and discounts on vitamins and supplements are also available.
  • Fitness Your Way™ by Tivity Health™ allows members the flexibility to work out at any of its locations nationwide for only $29 per month. More than 10,000 fitness locations participate, including LA Fitness, Snap Fitness and Anytime Fitness, as well as many local fitness centers. Deals are also offered on mindfulness courses, wearable health devices and fitness equipment.

In addition to providing wellness tools directly to members, Blue Cross and BCN provide health and wellness resources to employer groups through the Blue Cross® Health and Wellness benefit. Examples of resources offered include:

  • Lifestyle coaching and stress management tools designed to help improve health risks
  • Smoking and tobacco cessation support programs
  • Health assessments and coaching
  • Wellness challenges for motivation to improve healthy behaviors

Nine in 10 physicians responding to the survey seek to help their patients live healthy lives. And nearly 8 in 10 physicians frequently recommend health and wellness tools to their patients.

Blue Cross and BCN encourage health care providers to consider our health and wellness programs when making lifestyle recommendations to their patients.

WebMD Health Services is an independent company supporting Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network members by providing health and wellness services.

No portion of this publication may be copied without the express written permission of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, except that BCBSM participating health care providers may make copies for their personal use. In no event may any portion of this publication be copied or reprinted and used for commercial purposes by any party other than BCBSM.

*CPT codes, descriptions and two-digit numeric modifiers only are copyright 2017 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and
independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.