Anthem Blue Cross 2006 Annual Report Download - page 21

Preventable medical errors affect 1.5 million
Americans each year, contribute to more than
7,000 deaths, and cost hospitals an estimated
$3.5 billion annually. Many preventable
mistakes are due to simple miscommunication
or paperwork errors.
WellPoint is working with physicians and hospitals
to harness the power of advanced information
technology both to reduce administrative burden
and to improve health care quality and safety.
In addition, our customer care representatives
work with health care providers to ensure that our
members receive prompt and appropriate care. In
2006, for example, WellPoint Dental implemented
a customer advocacy model that empowers repre-
sentatives to respond to a caller’s needs by taking
personal responsibility from initial contact to
resolution. This model allows WellPoint Dental to
provide the best solution for all clients, including
members, employers and providers.
Personal health records
WellPoint is working to make personal health
records available to all our members. (See page 10).
Because they improve patient care, reduce medical
errors and paperwork, and help control costs, we
believe such records should be available to all
consumers. This will require creating nationwide
standards so that systems across the country
can connect and share information. WellPoint is
collaborating with other health insurers, hospitals,
and policy makers to make that possible.
ePrescribing
Fewer than 22 percent of physicians nationwide
use the basic capabilities of electronic prescribing,
which, according to the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, could eliminate as many as
two million harmful drug events each year.
Our Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield health plan
in Ohio has launched a pilot ePrescribing program in
two communities that will help reduce medication
errors, improve patient safety, and cut the time
physicians spend managing prescriptions and
communicating with pharmacists.
#5
Technology and
practices to make the
system work better
18-19
Managing specialty
pharmaceuticals
U.S. pharmaceutical spending
Specialty pharmaceuticals are complex drugs created
through biotechnology that treat diseases such as cancer.
As shown above, these drugs account for a growing share
of pharmacy spending. Through our integrated specialty
pharmacy, PrecisionRx Specialty Solutions, we are working
with members and providers to help realize the full potential
of these breakthrough drugs to improve patient care.
Specialty pharmaceuticals often require special handling and
storage, and they are administered by injection or infusion.
PrecisionRx Specialty Solutions offers our members highly
integrated care coordination from the procurement of
these drugs to guidance for their most effective use.
Sources: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,
Office of the Actuary; IMS Health; WellPoint projection
Specialty 15%
$32B
Specialty 31%
$91B
Traditional 85%
$182B
Traditional 69%
$201B
2006
$214B
Projected
2010
$292B