A Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana program aimed at helping chronic diseases has cut costs by $25 per patient per month over the past two years, according to The Advocate.
Approximately 656 primary care physicians and over 180,000 Blue Cross members are currently participating in the Quality Blue Primary Care program, which was launched in 2013. The program rewards physicians for meeting quality standards.
Since the beginning of 2015, the Quality Blue Primary Care program has seen a 25 percent improvement in diabetes care, 40 percent in vascular disease, 31 percent in high blood pressure care and 69 percent in kidney disease care, according to the company.
"Chronic illnesses affect more than half of Louisianians and account for almost 70 percent of healthcare expenses each year," said Mike Reitz, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. "Quality Blue is our answer to help people become and stay healthy, which keeps their out-of-pocket costs down."