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Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Encourage Research on What Works

Blue Health Intelligence

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield participates in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's Blue Health Intelligence (BHI) program, which ranks as the nation's largest, HIPAA-compliant, multi-Plan database and brings together de-identified data on the claims experience of more than 50 million Blue Cross and Blue Shield members nationwide. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans use BHI - the broadest, deepest pool of claims information ever created - as a tool to assist in understanding healthcare trends, cost drivers and other important factors related to healthcare delivery. This data analysis allows the Plan and employer accounts to proactively design products to meet identified needs and provide higher-quality care to their members. For example, high rates of cardiac disease could trigger targeted wellness initiatives.

As BHI expands, it will have the potential to provide policymakers and healthcare stakeholders with a steady flow of data, giving physicians and hospitals powerful insight into the appropriateness and effectiveness of emerging medical trends and treatment options. The data warehouse will also help identify high-performing physicians and hospitals; strengthen the momentum toward greater healthcare transparency; create opportunities for health services research and give policymakers information on drug safety, drug efficacy, disease spread and the impact of new technologies and procedures.

Technology Evaluation Center

Each of the 39 Blue Plans across the country, including Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, has access to evidence-based healthcare technology assessments produced by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's Technology Evaluation Center (TEC).  Founded in 1985, TEC pioneered the development of scientific criteria for assessing the effectiveness of medical devices, procedures and biological products through comprehensive reviews of clinical evidence.  Averaging 15 to 20 assessments per year - each based on a synthesis of available evidence - TEC provides healthcare decision-makers with timely, objective and scientifically rigorous technology evaluations that inform coverage decisions, quality measures, educational materials, guidelines and research agendas.

The assessments performed by TEC - which is also one of 14 Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs) for the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality - are based on objective clinical and scientific evidence and evaluate whether a technology improves health outcomes such as length of life, quality of life and ability to function.  TEC most recently has taken a national leadership role in the evaluation and analysis of evidence in the rapidly proliferating area of genetic testing and pharmacogenomics (i.e., how a person's genetic make-up interacts with a drug's effectiveness).

Change Incentives to Promote Better Care

Blue Distinction®

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is engaged in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s Blue Distinction® program – a designation awarded to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering specialty care in one or more of the following areas: bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers and transplants.  New Blue Distinction programs for spine surgery and knee and hip replacement will be introduced in 2009, and future designations are in preliminary stages of development.  The Blue Distinction designation is based on a facility’s ability to meet objective, evidence-based quality criteria established in collaboration with expert physicians and medical organizations.  Studies indicate Blue Distinction Centers® have better overall outcomes and lower costs for certain procedures when compared to non-designated medical facilities.

 

Today, more than 800 Blue Distinction designations have been awarded nationwide, helping consumers to find quality specialty care.  To locate a Blue Distinction Center, please visit the Blue Distinction Center Finder.

 

Empower Consumers and Providers

Advanced Health Information Network

To seamlessly integrate care delivery, claims processing and transaction systems, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield developed the Advanced Health Information Network (AHIN) in collaboration with a number of healthcare systems across the state.  The network provides a secure, online system with advanced functionality, enabling physicians and hospitals to boost efficiency through real-time access to eligibility, claims and claim-status information.

Blue-by-Design

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers Blue-by-Design coverage solutions, a suite of consumer-directed products for small and large employers that can be customized based on coverage options and deductible levels.  These affordable plans are coupled with health savings accounts (HSAs) or health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) to provide employees with greater control over their personal medical expenses.  Additionally, Blue-by-Design products offer an array of tools and resources to empower consumers in their healthcare decisions, including cost and quality guides, access to health coaches and an index of online health information.

Personal Health Record

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield provides each member with a personal health record (PHR) in order to improve care coordination across the healthcare spectrum.  As the largest insurer in Arkansas, the Plan offers PHRs to one-third of the state’s residents and allows members to keep their records even if they are no longer covered by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield.  Each member’s PHR is auto-populated with a summary of medical claims submitted during Plan enrollment.  Individuals can also enter personal, non-claims information into their PHR, which is maintained on a secure network accessible only to their physician and other healthcare providers.

Promote Health and Wellness

Blue and Youth Program Diabetes Prevention Childhood Obesity Prevention

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield launched the Blue and Youth Health Program to promote and teach regular physical activity, good nutrition and healthy habits among elementary school children. The program’s mascot, BlueAnn Ewe, a 6-foot-tall blue sheep, appears as a costumed and animated character in different venues, including:

  • BlueAnn Ewe’s Healthy ClassAct: A live, interactive 40-minute classroom presentation starring BlueAnn. A coloring book for each child is provided at the end of the lesson to reinforce the topics taught.
  • BlueAnn Ewe’s Health Club and Class Club: A club for individuals (aged five to 10) with a free two-year membership. Includes incentives and rewards for participating in healthy activities. Newsletters, activity sheets and special gifts are a part of the program. In the classroom equivalent club, teachers enroll their classes and utilize the Club materials at their discretion; membership is for one school year and provides incentives and rewards for practicing healthy behaviors.
  • BlueAnn Rocks: Fourteen animated musical television commercials featuring BlueAnn and kids singing health messages regarding nutrition, peer pressure, exercise, nutrition and more. The spots are shown on children’s network and cable television channels, including Nickelodeon.
  • BlueAnn’s Wild and Wooly website: Visitors play games, watch the "BlueAnn Rocks" music videos, join the health club, print out activity and color sheets, read about healthy goodies, look through BlueAnn’s scrapbook and read her fan mail.

For more information, visit http://www.BlueAnnEwe-ark.com.

Health Connect Blue Diabetes Prevention

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield's HealthConnect Blue website offers a full suite of health information and support tools designed to help members lead healthier lives.  Available to all members under age 65, the program includes features such as:

  • Health Coaches – Available around the clock to help members understand various medical tests, assist in developing physical fitness routines and provide additional materials such as videotapes and brochures at no cost.  Members may also access the Dialog Room, an online chat tool that connects them to health coaches over the Internet for immediate support.
  • Health Education Programs – Mailings with the latest information and resources on topics such as cardiovascular and respiratory health, diabetes, weight management, pregnancy and lower-back pain
  • Healthwise® Knowledgebase – Comprehensive, current, evidence-based information to assist members with healthcare decisions
  • Health Media Tools – Online resources on nutrition, weight loss, smoking cessation and stress management, along with personalized support for members interested in crafting customized action plans

The Blue & You Fitness Challenge

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield developed the Blue & You Fitness Challenge in 2008 following an earlier collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Health that resulted in the Arkansas Fitness Challenge (AFC).  The program addresses the dangers posed by controllable, adverse health factors such as obesity, smoking and poor nutrition by focusing on the importance of regular physical activity.  The Blue & You Fitness Challenge engages employees from opposing teams to participate in cardiovascular-focused exercises, awarding points for completion that are accumulated throughout the three-month contest.  Since the state's first AFC in 2004, the program has rapidly expanded, and the Blue & You Fitness Challenge now includes thousands of participants from large and small employers statewide.

The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas

The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas is a charitable foundation established and funded by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield to promote better health statewide through annual grants to nonprofit and governmental organizations focused on health and wellness.  With a strategic focus on funding community-based solutions, the foundation fosters collaboration and innovation and leverages human and community resources to create a lasting impact on health and wellness in Arkansas.  Since 2003, the foundation has provided more than $8.6 million in charitable grants to 129 organizations statewide.  These grants have largely been directed toward programs that address chronic conditions, including educational initiatives to promote wellness among children and adults.