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March/April 2009

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

A message from Bob Milewski
An update on changes inside BCBSM
Bob MilewskiAll you have to do is to look at the papers or watch the news, and it's clear that we're living through unprecedented times. The current economic climate affects everything from the way we do business today as well as the way we plan for tomorrow. It also impacts businesses of all sizes and structure. It seems that no one is immune. Read More.

Hospital Association Spring Symposium Hosts Patient Safety Pioneers
On April 14 and 15, the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center for Patient Safety & Quality (www.MHAKeystoneCenter.org) will host the 2009 MHA Patient Safety and Quality Symposium in Dearborn. Read More.

Radiology Management Program compliance program continues to improve
Hospital radiology preauthorization compliance scores for BCBSM's PPO Radiology Management Program continued to show improvement throughout the 2008 year. The 2008 overall compliance average score is 85% compared to our baseline of 53% in 2005. Read More.

Printed copies of Partners report available
As you read in a previous issue of Hospital Update, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's 2009 Partners in Health Care report is accessible online. Read More.

MHA Keystone Center for Patient Safety & Quality Launches New Collaborative
Due to the results of record-high unemployment, more Michigan citizens are now uninsured or underinsured and seeking care in Michigan hospital emergency rooms (ERs). In 2008, the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center for Patient Safety & Quality started the necessary training to launch a new pilot collaborative called MHA Keystone: ER. Read More.

New program requirements for BDC and COE designations
Effective with any new Blue Distinction Centers/Centers of Excellence designations and renewal of current BDC/COE designations, hospitals are required to comply with two provider contracting standards related to controlling health care costs. Read More.

Program requirements for new BDCs in spine and joint surgery
BCBSM and BCN are getting ready to invite hospitals to participate in the electronic RFI process to identify Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery and for Joint (Hip and Knee Replacement) Surgery. The required criteria for BDC designations are listed below: Read More.
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