PHILADELPHIA, June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Esther Nash, Senior Medical Director of Health Management Programs at Independence Blue Cross, will present "Integrated Disease Management and Decision Support -- A View From the Trenches" at this year's Disease Management Colloquium. The presentation will offer a comprehensive look at IBC's Connections(SM) Health Management Programs from development to current status.
The three-day Colloquium is sponsored by the Department of Health Policy and Jefferson Medical College and will be held on the Jefferson Medical School Campus in Philadelphia from June 27 - 30. Dr. Nash will be speaking at 3:45 p.m. on Monday, June 28.
"Independence Blue Cross is on the leading edge of disease management," says Dr. Nash. "We're one of only a few health plans that provide an integrated disease management and decision support program for six chronic conditions to almost 2 million members across all of our lines of business."
The Colloquium will help to better educate government agencies, the healthcare industry, employers and the public about the importance of disease management programs and the role they play in improving healthcare for those with chronic conditions.
"Connections integrates six chronic conditions - asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease (CAD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) - into a comprehensive support program that helps empower our members to take active involvement in their healthcare," Dr. Nash states. "We also support our providers with information, education and innovative tools, like our SMART(TM) Registry."
The SMART Registry, produced in collaboration with Health Dialog, is a comprehensive patient report sent to primary care physicians twice a year. The registry provides "at-a-glance" summaries of patient care, including key clinical tests and treatments that are recommended for members with chronic conditions.
"With a focus on more flexible products, disease management and e-commerce initiatives, IBC is moving towards consumer-directed healthcare," Dr. Nash says. "By engaging our members and giving them the tools and information they need, we empower them to become actively involved in their healthcare."
For more information on the Colloquium, visit http://www.dmconferences.com/.
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania, providing coverage to more than 2.8 million members in Pennsylvania. The company contributes to the health and well-being of the region through its extensive health and community partnerships, sponsorships and educational programs.
Independence Blue CrossCONTACT: Butch Ward of Independence Blue Cross, +1-215-241-2220