View this newsletter on your mobile device Due to advances in technology, more and more readers are reading newsletters like Hospital and Physician Update on their mobile devices. That’s why our email communications team took the initiative to create a more mobile-responsive newsletter, starting with this issue. We hope you find the changes useful.
Top story
More physicians earn PCMH designation The number of physicians and practices earning Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan designation as Patient-Centered Medical Homes continues to grow. This year, 4,692 physicians in 1,709 practices received designation, and the program has PCMH practices in 81 of Michigan’s 83 counties. Read more.
Leadership messages
A message from Dan Martin, director of Provider Outreach Working to improve the provider experience: a top priority for us Health care is changing rapidly as all of us who work in the industry know full well. In an effort to keep up with the ever-changing marketplace, government regulations and increased scrutiny around health care spending, insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan are taking such steps as creating new plans and working with vendors on cost-saving programs. Read more.
A message from Dr. S. George Kipa Why does health care cost so much? Patients often ask: Why does health care cost so much? And then there’s the follow-up question: Is there anything that I, as a patient, can do about it? Read more.
Mind-body connection
PGIP supports MedNetOne program to improve outcomes for ADHD patients Roughly 1 in 10 school-aged children are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, making it one of the most common childhood behavioral health disorders. Read more.
Guest column from Lawrence Perlman, Ph.D. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia helps patients make changes in their sleep habits When I learned that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan was developing a series of articles on the importance of integrating behavioral health into general medical care, I offered to write a column on one of my favorite topics: cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. As you read in a previous column in this newsletter, a variety of medical conditions are associated with insomnia, including diabetes, autoimmune disorders and cardiac issues. Read more.
In the news Social factors affect fight against CVD
Social factors, such as lower educations levels, poverty and race, need to be addressed in the battle against cardiovascular disease. “The steady decline of death from cardiovascular disease that began in the 1970s might be coming to an end. Overall population health cannot improve if parts of the population do not benefit from improvements in prevention and treatment,” Edward P. Havranek, M.D., professor of cardiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said. Read more.
Focus on pharmacy
Focus on pharmacy CMS star rating measures support importance of statin therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently issued two new star rating measures to support the importance of statin therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Read more.
In brief
In brief Our "In brief" feature includes details on how to join the Physician Group Incentive Program and access to two new Clinical quality corner tip sheets. Read more.
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The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies
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