Chapel Hill, N.C. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) recently became the first health insurer in North Carolina to offer its practitioners a new tool to proactively manage their patients’ overall health care experience. The tool, called the Patient Care Summary (PCS), provides a comprehensive overview of medical claims, prescriptions, and gaps in care such as overdue tests and unfilled prescriptions. The PCS also helps physicians to better coordinate care for patients who often see multiple physicians.
The PCS, available to in-network physicians through their current, secure Blue e electronic connection, provides a summary of health-related services and prescriptions for each patient who is a BCBSNC customer. With the PCS, doctors can quickly:
- Identify gaps in care for individual patients compared with evidence-based and nationally recognized guidelines.
- See a comprehensive listing of the patient’s medication.
- View most recent medical care received including date of visit, doctor or facility name and specialty, diagnosis and procedure codes, and place of service.
“The Patient Care Summary gives us a snapshot of our patients’ health care experience and allows us to better manage their care,” said Dr. Tom Warcup, medical director at Carolina Advanced Health, an innovative primary care practice, created by BCBSNC and UNC Health Care, focused on managing chronic conditions for BCBSNC customers. “BCBSNC provides this information in an easy-to-access format, which allows us to address potential gaps in care before they become larger problems.”
A pilot group of providers including Carolina Advanced Health, Blue Quality Physician Program (BQPP) practices and select employer-based, on-site clinics, gained access to the PCS this month. A full roll-out to all providers and physician practices that contract with BCBSNC is planned through the end of 2012.
“We are continually working to support our practitioners and provide them with the information they need to make informed medical decisions and improve the health of their patients,” said Don Bradley, M.D., chief medical officer, BCBSNC.
PCS information is refreshed monthly, and will include information about any care or medication for which a claim has been filed. Information is available for BCBSNC commercial customers including the State Health Plan. The PCS is currently not available for customers of Medicare Supplement Plans and the Federal Employee Program.
About BCBSNC:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.6 million members, including approximately 900,000 served on behalf of other Blue Plans. For 78 years, the company has served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute in 2012. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit BCBSNC online at bcbsnc.com.
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