CHICAGO – The Health Care Service Corporation is expanding an integrated health management program designed to provide physicians with greater insight into their patients’ medication use.

Officials for Chicago-based HCSC, which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, say its pharmacy adherence program has proven to increase the use of cholesterol medication by 25 percent for those not following their doctor’s orders.
 
“By not taking cholesterol medications, many people are subjecting themselves to serious cardiovascular complications that could otherwise be prevented,” said Fawwaz M. Shoukfeh, a physician in Texas. “This allows us to better communicate with our patients, improve their health and, ultimately, help reduce the cost of their care.”

As the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer with 12.4 million members, HCSC wants the program to serve as a model for the nation's healthcare system.

The program allows HCSC to analyze pharmaceutical data to identify members not refilling their prescribed cholesterol medications. The company then notifies the patients and their physicians, who also receive a customized patient report that includes lab results, drug quantities filled, dispensed dates and refill due dates.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas began the program last year.
 
“In addition to increasing statin medication use, the program also can save money for our customers and members,” said Kevin Slavik, senior pharmacy director at HCSC. “Through a pharmacy benefit step therapy plan, we are able to encourage the use of generic medications.”
 
HCSC officials plan to expand the program to its other Blues plans in Illinois, New Mexico and Oklahoma this month. The program also will soon target diabetes and other conditions.