Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Dual logo

Group of doctors and business people

Hospital and Physician Update
November – December 2017
Top story

A message from Steve Anderson
We need to work together to reduce health care costs, improve outcomes
New statistics about health care costs for hospital stays are a major concern for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Read more.
Battling the opioid epidemic

A message from Dr. Duane DiFranco
We’ve launched opioid task force to tackle growing crisis
With Michigan overdose deaths from opioids other than heroin tripling in the past five years and more than 1,000 people treated in emergency departments daily for not using prescription opioids as directed, it’s alarming — but not surprising — that opioid abuse and deaths in the United States have reached the level of a natural disaster. Read more.

In the news: Opioids
As part of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s efforts to tackle the opioid epidemic, we’ve ramped up our efforts to communicate about the topic in our various health care provider-focused communications. See a roundup of some of the latest research and news. Read more.
Value Partnerships

National summit inspires information sharing about Collaborative Quality Initiative model
In early October, about 75 surgeons and surgical health professionals from across the country gathered at a summit in Northern Michigan to learn about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Collaborative Quality Initiative model. Read more.
Mind-body connection

Guest column from Michael Sytniak, Ph.D.
Here are some suggestions for talking with your patients about their chronic pain
As we all know, chronic pain is a pervasive problem in most primary care settings. It’s estimated that about 20 to 50 percent of patients who visit a general medicine practitioner report chronic pain. Read more.

Physician Helpline can help you find treatment options for patients with behavioral health needs
As part of our efforts to provide physicians with the support they need as they work to integrate behavioral health with general medical care, we want to let you know about the New Directions Physician Help Line. Read more.
Focus on pharmacy

Focus on pharmacy
Beginning insulin therapy in patients with Type 2 diabetes
The decision to start insulin therapy in patients with Type 2 diabetes can be a difficult one, but it’s often necessary. Due to the progressive loss of beta-cell function in patients with T2D diabetes, many patients with the condition will eventually require insulin to achieve appropriate glucose control. Read more.
In brief
In brief
"In brief" includes an article on enhancements to the Find a Doctor feature and tips for updating medical records for patients with high blood pressure. Read more.
Twitter Icon Facebook Icon A Healthier Michigan Icon MI Blues Perspective Icon

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.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.