Spring 2008


From the Chairman:

Many of you have heard us promote the advantages of our totally integrated disease management program. Now you will be able to see just how much it can influence your company’s bottom line by checking out our healthcare plan performance chart below.

Since 1994, Primary PhysicianCare has based the management of our client companies on the average cost per covered employee, and we compare that cost to the Mercer National Average.  The gap has been widening since 2000, but last year for the first time in our history, average medical costs for our clientele dropped 6% across the board.  The primary reason for this dramatic downward trend is our huge investment into wellness and disease management.

In this edition of Care Management News, you'll learn about two more ways our totally integrated system is protecting your investment in healthcare.  First, we’ll explain how our call center representatives are trained to answer all your employees’ questions about their prescription drug coverage to make sure they get the most from this benefit.  Second, we’ll tell you about our medication adherence program (MAP), which identifies and contacts members who are not complying with doctors’ recommendations regarding their prescription drugs.

Here’s what’s in this issue:

  • Call Center Corner:
    Rx Questions? We've Got Answers!
  • Washington Watch:
    DOL Checklist for HIPAA-Compliant Wellness Programs
  • In the News:
    Blood Pressure Diet Lowers Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke
    House Committee Approves FDA Regulation of Tobacco
  • Rx Trends:
    Care Management: Medication Adherence
  • On the Case:
    Medication Adherence Program Success Story
  • Workplace Wellness:
    Environmental Impact on Health
    Spring Corporate Health & Wellness Summit

Please let us know how we can improve our service to you and to your employees.  We look forward to your feedback.

Sincerely,

David R. Tate
Chairman and CEO

 
Primary PhysicanCare Health Systems

Call Center Corner: Rx Questions? We've Got Answers!

By: Lauren Staley, Call Center Representative

Whether we administer your company’s prescription drug coverage with our fully integrated services available through Express Scripts Inc. or through another prescription benefit management (PBM) company, the Primary PhysicianCare call center has it covered.  Our customer service representatives are trained to assist callers with all concerns regarding the prescription drug plan coverage offered under their employers’ health plans.  Here are some of the issues we address most frequently.
 
Washington Watch 

DOL Checklist for HIPAA-Compliant Wellness Programs
By: Kay Jones Lewis, Staff Writer

Want to know how to create a wellness program for your employees that complies with HIPAA regulations? Or do you need to make sure your current program is in compliance? The Department of Labor has released a checklist that can help you out.

 
Healthcare Horizons

In the News:
Blood Pressure Diet Lowers Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke
By: Lance Phillips, Staff Writer

The link between diet and high blood pressure is well known.  Now a recent study of the long-term effects of diets similar to the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which has been used to help control and prevent high blood pressure, has found considerable added benefits.  The study, which followed the diets of 88,000 women for nearly 25 years, cited reduced instances of heart disease and stroke. 

 

House Committee Approves FDA Regulation of Tobacco
By: Kay Jones Lewis, Staff Writer

On April 2, 2008, thousands of kids across America took a stand against Big Tobacco.  They participated in hundreds of events throughout the country that were organized to mark the 13th annual Kick Butts Day.  Sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the event raised awareness this year about the need for Congress to crack down on Big Tobacco’s marketing and sales efforts that target kids. 

 
Rx Trends

Care Management: Medication Adherence

By: Bryan Klazinga, Vice President, Pharmaceutical Services


Consider a typical scenario.  A person is diagnosed with a chronic condition like hypertension.  A visit with the doctor is scheduled and his physician prescribes a medication.  The patient fills the prescription at a pharmacy and begins to take the medication on a daily basis.  But after about three weeks, the patient begins to skip doses and soon he no longer takes the medication.  This scenario is very real.  Medication non-compliance is a very big problem.
On the Case

Medication Adherence Program Success Story
By: Linda Roochvarg, MD, Medical Director

DD is a 42-year-old Hispanic man who works for an equipment company.  He was identified by his company’s pharmacy plan as not having regularly filled his prescription and therefore was enrolled in our new Medication Adherence Program (MAP).  That's because, over the past 14 months, he has filled the prescription for his diabetes medication eight times.  That's only 57% of the time.

Workplace Wellness
Environmental Impact on Health
By: Michael Friedland, MD

The effects of pollution on our environment through global warming and destruction of habitats are frequent news headlines. Yet, the significant effects on our health are less frequently mentioned. These examples illustrate the problem.
 

Spring Corporate Health and Wellness Summit
By: Kay Jones Lewis, Staff Writer

On April 2, 2008, Wellness Coalition America, a wholly owned division of Primary PhysicianCare, hosted about 70 executives representing more than 40 local companies at a Corporate Health and Wellness Summit and luncheon in Charlotte.  Here are some of the topics the program covered.