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A message from Dr. David Share
CMS recognizes PCMH program as meeting criteria for new merit-based payment system for physicians
You may have read in the media last month about how Medicare is changing the way it pays physicians — rewarding quality performance and avoiding paying piecemeal for services. It’s one of the biggest changes in Medicare’s 50-year history — and it’s one that we at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan stand behind. For the past 10 years, we’ve been working closely with our hospital and physician partners to move from a fee-for-service payment model to one based on quality and value. Read more.
A message from Alex Partin, Director, Product Strategy
Here’s what you need to know about our new reference-based benefit designs
Over the past two years, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has launched several new, innovative product designs — all aimed at addressing the high cost of health care and providing our members and customer groups with additional choices. These range from the Metro Detroit EPO to Blue Cross® Personal Choice PPO. Read more.
Guest column from Carol Ellstein, Ph.D.
Licensed psychologist and behavioral health consultant
Here are 7 tips for helping patients with insomnia
Insomnia has become a major public health issue. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 30 to 35 percent of adults experience brief symptoms of insomnia, and about 10 percent have a chronic insomnia disorder. Insomnia affects the well-being of millions of people in the U.S. Read more.
CMS issues new rule regarding opioid prescriptions
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a new rule regarding opioid prescriptions for companies offering Medicare Advantage plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network. MA plans must place a limit on the daily cumulative morphine equivalent dose, or MED, effective Jan. 1, 2017. Read more.
In the news: behavioral health
As part of our Mind-Body Connection campaign, we’ll be taking a look at recent news articles and studies that address the link between behavioral health and physical health. Read more.
Mail bag: Comments from our readers
This is the first in a new series featuring letters we’ve received from our readers. If you have a comment you’d like to share, please send it to provcomm@bcbsm.com.Read more.
Focus on pharmacy
Here’s a review of current guidelines for managing high blood pressure
The Joint National Committee updated and simplified the guidelines for treatment of high blood pressure in February of 2014. Here’s a review of key "JNC 8" guidelines for treating high blood pressure. Read more. |
