Serving all of California
Archive for January, 2008
Blue Cross of California Launches Maternity Depression Program
Jan 30th
Blue Cross of California announced yesterday that it has launched a Maternity Depression Program that provides new moms depression screenings, education, and support to help them obtain behavioral health treatment during and post-pregnancy. Here are the details from the press release:
THOUSAND OAKS, CA – Motherhood is often characterized as a magical experience for women with only a fading reference to the “baby blues.” However, according to the National Mental Health Association, in the first three months after childbirth, 14.5 percent of women may become withdrawn, unresponsive, or exhibit negative behavior toward their infant. Mothers experiencing these conflicting feelings may be suffering from Postpartum Depression (PPD) which once diagnosed can be treated. Blue Cross of California (Blue Cross) has launched a Maternity Depression Program that provides new moms depression screenings, education, and support to help them obtain behavioral health treatment during and post-pregnancy.
The Maternity Depression Program is designed to provide information and screening tools to all Blue Cross members who are new mothers while simultaneously identifying members who are at high risk for depression. Since May 2007, Blue Cross has mailed more than 13,000 educational packets to new mothers.
Members who screen positive are encouraged to either share the results with their physician More >
Anthem Blue Cross Launches Zagat Survey Tool In Los Angeles
Jan 8th
Members to Use Survey to Rate Physician Experiences
Blue Cross of California (Blue Cross) today announced the launch of the Zagat Survey tool, a new online survey tool that will allow consumers to share their physician experiences with others in the Los Angeles market.
The survey tool is now available to members enrolled in the company’s Lumenos consumer driven health plans and will be available to all members the Los Angeles area at the end of the first quarter of 2008. Blue Cross will continue to progressively introduce this tool across all of California.
“Zagat is widely known and trusted for its ability to help people share and learn from other consumer experiences. By working with them we are able to create a trusted resource for consumers and actively engage consumers in sharing and using that information,” said Brian A. Sassi, president of Blue Cross of California. “Consumer experience information, such as that enabled by the Zagat Survey tool, complements our other tools and resources that make clinical quality and cost transparent for consumers.”
Through its relationship with Zagat, Blue Cross is helping address an unmet need for peer-to-peer interaction among health care consumers. The new survey tool will provide a vehicle for members More >