November – December 2015
|
A message from Dr. Kipa
Grow a mustache, save a life
I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed on WDIV-TV about a topic that’s very important to me — men’s health. The interview took place in recognition of “Movember” — an annual initiative that’s focused on raising awareness about men’s health issues. If you’re not familiar with it, men are encouraged to grow mustaches in November to spark conversations about issues that often go undetected and untreated among men. Read more. |
 Dr. George Kipa
|
What you need to know about our Quality Improvement Program
At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we continually implement, monitor, measure and evaluate strategies to improve the quality of care delivered to our members. Read more.
Clinical quality corner
Let’s work to increase low HPV and flu vaccine rate
Each year, the flu sends about 200,000 people to the hospital and is responsible for between 3,000 and 49,000 deaths in the U.S. While some people believe the flu vaccine is only necessary for those who are sick or elderly, recent strains of influenza have proven dangerous to young adults as well. Read more.
Focus on pharmacy
Emerging cholesterol therapies, prescribing skeletal muscle relaxants
As new therapies emerge, it’s important for physicians to consider evidence and guidelines as part of their efforts to provide patient-centered care. That’s why we want to let you know about a new class of high-cost, injectable medications recently approved by the FDA: PSCK9 Inhibitors. Read more.
The business of health care
What’s been the impact of the ACA?
We talked with Kirk Roy, vice president of national health reform at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, about how the ACA has affected consumers, employers and health care providers — and what trends he’s seeing. Read more. |
 Kirk Roy
|
In brief
Refer patients to other participating providers, deadline for new Medicare Part D prescriber prerequisite enrollment
We tell you what you need to know about these two important issues. Read more. |
