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Posts tagged Blue Cross of California
Anthem Blue Cross Announces Initiative To Prevent Serious Medical Errors
Apr 14th
April 2, 2008 – Anthem Blue Cross announced today process changes for its hospital network to be implemented this year. The changes will include reimbursement modifications and are aimed at eliminating preventable adverse events as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Quality Forum. They will help protect Anthem Blue Cross’s eight million members from additional payments resulting from these errors.
“Anthem’s primary focus will be to ensure that physicians and hospitals are using appropriate processes, technologies and strategies to address ‘never events’ and, ultimately, to enhance the quality of care delivered to hospitalized patients,” said Dr. Zeinab Dabbah, Chief Medical Officer of Anthem Blue Cross. “We will continue to work collaboratively with physicians and hospitals to analyze why and how these events occur, and to proactively find ways to improve patient safety and clinical care.”
Anthem’s first phase of the initiative includes 11 preventable adverse events and will be modified and expanded in the future. Anthem recently communicated to its network hospitals about its policy intended to ensure that no one will be charged if any of the following three events occur:
• Surgery performed on the wrong body part; • Surgery performed on the wrong patient; More >
Anthem Foundation Aims To Keep Kids Safe
Apr 12th
Anthem Foundation announced that it is teaming up with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to keep families and children injury-free through the creation and distribution of Healthy Habits for Safe Kids.
Download Healthy Habits for Safe Kids – Important Child Safety Tips for Parents
English PDF
Spanish PDF
Emergency physicians on the front lines joined Anthem Foundation in the creation of this resource to empower families with accurate, useful information to keep children happy, healthy and out of the emergency room. Available in English and Spanish, the booklet is available in time to address summer vacation safety and beyond.
“As part of ACEP’s mission to advance emergency care, we recognize the extreme importance of education,” said Frederick Blum, M.D., president, American College of Emergency Physicians. “Emergency physicians too often see the tragic consequences of childhood injuries, many of which could have been prevented. This booklet offers the information that will help parents prevent such incidents.”
The guide, which represents the first collaboration between ACEP and a leading health insurer, is a key component of Anthem’s broader “Healthy Parenting Initiative,” which focuses on empowering families with information and resources to lead healthier lives.
Anthem Foundation will make Healthy Habits for Safe Kids available More >
Why Choose Blue Cross of California?
Feb 2nd
Why Anthem Blue Cross?
Anthem Blue Cross of California is committed to improving health care for all of us. After all, they’ve been here for over 60 years addressing changes in the healthcare system and making sure Californians can get the care they need at a price they can afford. From their vast network of doctors to alternative medicine coverage to personalized plans, toll-free help lines and member focused services, Anthem Blue Cross of California is California’s leading healthcare company.
Our commitment is to bring the Power of Blue to work for you:- Online Services: www.bluecrossca.com continues to offer more information about all Blue Cross of California products and services. It now features interactive web pages so members may communicate electronically with Customer Service for ID card replacement or benefit issues, as well as receive online information about claim status, eligibility and family enrollment, or download claim forms and EOBs
- Access to the nation’s largest provider network when traveling or temporarily living outside California.
- Emergency care coverage anywhere in the world, 24-hours a day, seven-days a week.
- Enhanced member services that provide discounts to alternative health care practitioners, products and services.
- Toll-free number to Customer Service with option to speak to a Customer Service representative or More >
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 >