National Business Coalition on Health Funds Diabetes Care Demonstration Projects

Three NBCH-member coalitions selected to engage physicians in improving diabetes care in local communities

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- To increase the number of physicians providing excellent care for patients with diabetes, $125,000 is being awarded by the National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH) to three member coalitions. The Dallas-Fort Worth Business Group on Health, the Mid-America Coalition on Health Care (Kansas City) and the Wichita Business Coalition on Health Care have been selected to participate in demonstration projects to expand the NCQA Diabetes Recognition Program in their communities. In generous partnership with Sanofi, the program goal is to promote the adoption of effective employer and plan driven strategies at the community level to increase the number of NCQA diabetes recognized providers.

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"By encouraging physicians to practice evidence-based medicine and follow guidelines to properly manage care for patients with diabetes we can significantly reduce the preventable complications and resulting costs while improving patient health," said Andrew Webber, NBCH president and CEO.  "These coalitions are in a unique position to collaborate with key stakeholders including employers, physician groups and health plans to bring about positive change in their communities."

In recent years, the focus has shifted from external assessment of physician performance to activities that prompt physicians to conduct self-assessments. The NCQA Diabetes Recognition Program enables physicians to audit their own performance on ten evidence-based measures of diabetes care. Those who provide evidence-based treatment and preventive services for the majority of patients are "recognized." The recognition seal is often linked to higher payments, rewards, and/or public acknowledgement by health plans and employers.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Business Group on Health (DFWBGH) will partner with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) to facilitate, support and expand BCBSTX's physician rewards program, based on a combination of NCQA's Physician Recognition Program and the Bridges to Excellence program. The business group will also work with its employer group members to support the DRP Expansion Program to improve quality and consistency of diabetes care, referring members to physicians who deliver consistent, effective care and rewarding those physicians for delivering high quality diabetes care.

The Mid-America Coalition on Health Care (MACHC) plans to increase the number of NCQA-recognized physicians in the greater Kansas City metropolitan through a DRP Advisory Team comprised of employers, physician groups, health plans, medical societies, hospital and physician associations, public health and pharmaceutical partners. The team will develop and implement a community strategy to improve diabetes care through activities that recruit and engage provider practices in seeking DRP status.

The Wichita Business Coalition on Health Care will focus on a series of coordinated efforts to provide education and support for physician practices to support the provision of high quality, evidence-based care for patients with diabetes. As part of this effort, the coalition plans to work collaboratively with physicians and their practices to secure participation and increase the visibility and significance of achieving DRP recognition.

About the National Business Coalition on Health
NBCH is a national, non-profit, membership organization of purchaser-led business and health coalitions, representing over 7,000 employers and 25 million employees and their dependents across the United States. NBCH and its members are dedicated to value-based purchasing of health care services through the collective action of public and private purchasers. For additional information visit: www.nbch.org.

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Andrew Webber
http://www.profnetconnect.com/andrew_webber

SOURCE National Business Coalition on Health