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Enrollment Hits 18,000 for Blue Care Network's Healthy Blue Living Product

Posted on: Friday, 30 March 2007, 09:00 CDT

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The new Healthy Blue Living(SM) health care product is a hit in Michigan.

In a little over five months, more than 250 employers ranging in size from large to small have chosen Blue Care Network of Michigan's innovative health care product. About 18,000 Michigan employees now have coverage that rewards people for living healthier and can save employers an average of 10 percent in premiums. The product became available October 2006.

"Judging by the enthusiastic response to Healthy Blue Living, many employers are eager for a product that emphasizes wellness and employee accountability," said Jeanne Carlson, BCN president and CEO. "Employees and their physicians are embracing the concept as well."

Healthy Blue Living encourages employees and their spouses to commit to healthy lifestyles with support from their primary care physicians and BCN. In addition to better health, the rewards for that commitment are lower copayments and deductibles.

All employees with Healthy Blue Living coverage initially receive the enhanced benefit package. It is the same as the product's standard benefit package, but offers lower copays and deductibles. However, to retain the enhanced benefits, the employee and his or her spouse must complete a health risk appraisal and Healthy Blue Living member qualification form during the first 90 days of coverage.

The member qualification form is filled out together with a person's primary care physician. Points are given for favorable results or behaviors in six categories: alcohol use, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, smoking status and weight. The six were selected because they are the leading causes of chronic illness and represent health conditions that can be controlled with proper treatment. Eighty or more points qualify a person for enhanced benefits. Medical conditions or unhealthy behaviors do not automatically preclude people from qualifying for enhanced benefits, provided they commit to and follow their physician's recommended treatment plan.

For employees whose coverage took effect last October, 60 percent have retained the enhanced benefits while 40 percent have the standard benefits.

Members with Healthy Blue Living coverage have access to BlueHealthConnection care management programs and services. These include free smoking cessation and weight loss programs, and free award-winning programs that focus on health education and assist with chronic illness. Experienced BCN health coaches also are available to work with some members on an individual basis to help them manage specific health issues.

Employers also have an important role. They are required to offer a smoke-free work environment. Employers also are required to conduct or promote wellness activities at work such as offering healthy food choices in vending machines and cafeterias, or providing on-site weight management or exercise classes. BCN provides a menu of wellness activities, and employers may select ones that are most suitable for their workplaces.

Confidentiality is ensured throughout the entire process. An employer does not see any completed member qualification forms and does not know which employees have enhanced benefits and which have standard benefits.

Blue Care Network of Michigan is the HMO affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For further information, visit http://www.mibcn.com/.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

CONTACT: Helen Stojic, +1-313-225-8113, Jon Ogar +1-517-336-5648, bothof Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Web site: http://www.bcbsm.com/http://www.mibcn.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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