March 15, 2010
Media Contact: Elizabeth Hammond, 803-264-4626
Columbia, S.C. – BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina announces a new program, Wellness 360º, which identifies group health plan members at risk for developing chronic conditions and provides coaching to keep those members on a healthier track. Wellness 360º focuses on members identified with conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and tobacco use, and aims to help them better manage that condition. The goal is to prevent them from becoming members with a chronic condition, such as asthma, diabetes or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). “Employer groups are looking for ways to reduce their health plans' costs, including medical and pharmacy expenditures,” said Mary Mazzola, president of BlueChoice HealthPlan. “Wellness 360º is a way that BlueChoice HealthPlan can help the employer manage its workforce’s health.” The program uses several methods to identify individuals who may be at risk for developing chronic conditions. Individuals complete an online personal health assessment, a venous blood draw and several physical measurements. Members who already have a chronic condition, such as asthma, diabetes and COPD, are enrolled in and are managed by BlueChoice HealthPlan’s Great Expectations® disease management programs. Members receive targeted information and educational phone calls from trained health professionals specializing in their conditions. They encourage medication adherence, physician follow-up and other goals specific to the condition. Members who fall into the “at risk” category are coached on their conditions. A wellness coach works with them to set goals and then stays in touch over the year to answer questions and encourage the member to manage his or her health. Medication adherence, visits to the doctor and goal attainment are tracked using readiness-to-change and motivational interviewing techniques. Members who are already maintaining good habits and do not fit into a disease or condition management category are encouraged to stay on track with their behaviors and visit their doctors annually.
The program is available to employer groups for a nominal fee.
BlueChoice HealthPlan has Great Expectations® programs for alcoholism, asthma, back care, childhood obesity, children’s health, chronic kidney disease, COPD, depression, diabetes, heart disease, heart failure, maternity, men’s health, migraine, pre-diabetes, smoking cessation, weight loss and women’s health.
Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BlueChoice HealthPlan has an A+ rating from A.M. Best and an Excellent accreditation status, the highest level awarded, from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). BlueChoice HealthPlan offers four categories of group health plans, as well as individual plans for children and young adults, and a South Carolina Medicaid product.
