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February 2009

Important program information for PGIP participants
Each issue of PGIP Matters will focus on general information and announcements as well as essential program information for participants. This month, we're letting you know about the PGIP contract amendment update and the requirements for the 2009 QOPI participation.

PGIP contract amendment update – Each Physician Organization will be receiving an Amendment to their "Agreement between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan and [P.O.] for the Physician Group Incentive Program". These Amendments will be sent via U.S. mail during March 2009.

Requirements for 2009 QOPI participation – For those physician organizations signed up for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Quality Oncology Practice Initiative ( QOPI) initiative in 2009, we wanted to remind you of the expectations regarding satisfactory participation in QOPI.


Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

A welcome message from Dr. Simmer
Blues launch PGIP Matters
Dr. SimmerI am constantly amazed and encouraged about the incredible work and progress exhibited by the participants engaged in PGIP. Although the group of engaged change agents are relatively small in number, both within BCBSM and within the provider community, I am confident that we are headed in the right direction of changing the world of health care delivery for the better. Read More.

PGIP quarterly meeting scheduled for
March 13th
The first PGIP Quarterly Meeting for 2009 will be held at Lansing Community College on March 13, 2009. Current PGIP physician organizations are encouraged to participate in these full-day collaborative meetings to share information, obtain program direction and view best practice presentations. The on-line registration form is available only for participating PGIP members.

Data sharing and reporting to physicians
To support PGIP initiatives such as the radiology initiative, BCBSM is committed to providing actionable data and reports to PGIP physicians. Currently, BCBSM can only share the minimum necessary amount of information to allow physician organizations to evaluate individual PGIP provider performance and adherence to the evidence based guidelines. Read More.

Visit our PGIP Web site for more information
As always, be sure to visit the PGIP website for a wealth of materials and information regarding PGIP. New information posted to the site includes: Read More.

Initiative to address inpatient care and cost under development
A leadership committee has been established and will begin meeting regularly to discuss the development of an initiative that addresses inpatient care and cost. The committee is chaired by Dr. Scott Flanders of the University of Michigan Medical Center. Representatives from the Physician Organizations will collaborate with BCBSM to work through the various issues related to the initiative: organization structure, performance metrics and intervention. We expect to formally recruit hospitalists with the next physician list update process scheduled for June 2009. E-mail Sandy Reoma for questions or more information.

Urgent: Be sure your e-mails and attachments are encrypted!
BCBSM requires scrupulous adherence to safeguarding e-mail transmission of personal health information at all times. View an easy-to-follow process that will make certain all electronic communications are HIPAA compliant.

Healthier teeth, healthier you
To promote the link between medical and dental health, BCBSM encourages medical practitioners and dentists to communicate about patient conditions that impact both aspects of patient health. We've created a referral form physicians can complete and give to patients to notify their dentist of a significant health condition. The referral forms are available online. You can also e-mail CStoel@dentemax.com, for more information.

Certified medical coder course offered
A certified medical coder course is being offered by the Practice Transformation Institute. For information and registration forms contact Debbie Rozanski at 248-475-4782 or drozanski@mednetone.net.

See schedule.
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.