Anthem Blue Cross 2007 Annual Report Download - page 23

21
WellPoint, Inc. 2007 Summary Annual Report
Sophisticated treatments for
complex conditions
Modern medicine has seen tremendous advances as a result
of biotechnology. Among these are specialty pharmaceuticals
— therapies used to treat and manage chronic diseases,
including several conditions common among seniors, such as
cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis.
Most specialty pharmaceuticals are used consistently for
long periods of time — often for life. They are usually taken by
injection or infusion rather than orally. Because of the complex
nature of these medicines, careful assessments and monitoring
of each member is essential to ensure quality care, patient
safety, and clinical effectiveness. This is particularly important
for seniors, who may require different dosages or risk different
adverse reactions than younger members.
WellPoint’s PrecisionRx Specialty Solutions, a full-service
specialty pharmacy, employs professional pharmacists
and nurses who coordinate members’ care, answer their
questions, and work with their prescribing physicians for
improved outcomes.
In October 2007, WellPoint opened a new state-of-the-art
PrecisionRx facility in Indianapolis. Computers help track the
accuracy of the medications, and an electronically coded
system helps ensure that the right dose of the right medication
goes to the right individual at the right time. A registered
pharmacist veri es every prescription order again before it is
shipped. The facility’s proximity to Indianapolis International
Airport allows PrecisionRx to ship most medications overnight
for our members’ convenience.
“Our ability to meet the special needs of members
with chronic conditions is a testament not only to the
advanced technology we implemented but, just as
important, to the personal care coordination we provide,”
said Dijuana Lewis, president and CEO of WellPoint’s
Comprehensive Health Solutions Business.
Helping seniors navigate the
maze of public programs
Many public programs are available to meet the needs of
America’s seniors, but often seniors don’t know how to
access them.
That’s why WellPoint has collaborated with the National
Council on Aging (NCOA) to help our Medicare members —
particularly those with limited incomes and resources —
learn whether they are eligible for federal, state and other
community programs that help pay for health care,
prescription drugs, rent, utilities and many other needs.
Under this collaboration, WellPoint provides our
Medicare members access to NCOA’s Bene tsCheckUp,®
a comprehensive Web-based service that helps individuals
determine quickly whether they are eligible for any of
1,500 bene ts programs in all 50 states and the District
of Columbia.
For example, through this service, WellPoint’s Medicare
bene ciaries can  nd out whether they qualify for the Medicare
Part D low-income subsidy, which helps cover prescription
drug costs. If they do qualify, they can apply right away.
“Bene tsCheckUp helps our Medicare bene ciaries
learn about their bene t choices and other resources,
so that they can better manage their health and other
important aspects of their lives,” said Brian Sassi,
president and CEO of WellPoint’s Consumer Business.
In just the  rst three months of the collaboration,
more than a thousand consumers used Bene tsCheckUp,
identifying bene ts valued at more than $5 million.
“This new relationship with WellPoint is one of many that
NCOA is forming to expand the reach of Bene tsCheckUp,”
said Stuart Spector, NCOA’s senior vice president of Bene ts
Access. “We are con dent that through this association
many more Medicare-eligible bene ciaries will gain the
bene ts they need.”
LEFT :: Janet Kent, R.N., an Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
nurse care manager in Brooklyn, New York.
MIDDLE :: Medicare Advantage member Julian David and
his daughter Wendy, in Harlem, New York.
RIGHT :: WellPoint’s high-tech PrecisionRx Specialty Solutions
facility in Indianapolis, Indiana.