A message from Steve Carrier
Senior vice president, Network Management and Provider Partnerships Blue Distinction Total Care: Helping doctors and hospitals achieve better health outcomes I was pleased to learn that our colleagues at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association have gathered together data showing that Blue Distinction™ Total Care doctors and hospitals are achieving better outcomes compared to other health care providers. Read more.
Clinical Quality Corner tip sheets updated for 2018 As part of our ongoing efforts to give you the tools you need to improve health care quality, we’ve updated our Clinical Quality Corner tip sheets for 2018 and posted them on web-DENIS. Each of the 27 tips sheets focuses on a specific HEDIS® measure. Read more.
Battling the opioid epidemic
Guest column from Manveen Saluja, M.D. Using checklist when prescribing opioids helps prevent overdose, drug diversion Initial evaluations and follow-up are important when prescribing an opioid to a patient. Following specific office protocols and using a checklist can help prevent overdose and drug diversion. Read more.
The mind-body connection
Guest column from Kenneth L. Salzman, Ph.D. Behavioral health specialists and primary care physicians: Joining forces after all these years After decades of behavioral health services being virtually isolated from medical health services, we now see efforts toward integrating the two fields of patient care. I’m heartened to witness firsthand this evolution, which allows both physicians and behavioral health specialists to work together more closely for the good of patients. Read more.
Health and Wellness
Health Index: Hypertension is top health condition in Michigan and the U.S. Michigan residents are only slightly less healthy than people in the rest of the country, according to a new study from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Michigan also shares the same top five health conditions with the rest of the country, with hypertension at the top of the list. Read more.
In other news
Drs. Beecroft, DiFranco honored by APA The American Psychiatric Association recognized two of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s top medical experts for their outstanding contributions to the field of psychiatry. Read more.
Headlines in The Record Here’s a roundup of articles from The Record that you may be interested in. Read more.
In sympathy Jean Malouin, M.D., M.P.H., 58, died suddenly on March 10, 2018, at her home in Pinckney, Michigan. Read more.
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