November 5, 2015
For immediate release
Medavie Blue Cross is the first Canadian insurance provider to introduce chronic disease management as an extended health care benefit in group and individual health plans. Late last year, Medavie Blue Cross announced a significant partnership with the Canadian Lung Association. This initiative was a part of our targeted disease management approach that helps eligible members living with a chronic respiratory disease access a national network of respiratory care support and awareness services.
As we aim for a new standard of patient support and care, we are proud to announce the benefit will now include a network of diabetes health care professionals. The Canadian Diabetes Association supports our approach to managing chronic disease and welcomes the addition of a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) to our broader disease management program.
Our approach is simple – making it easier for individuals to access the help they need to manage their chronic disease and health. This aligns with the focus of the Medavie Health Foundation, to empower people to better manage their health, and to partner with organizations that advocate for healthy change. Type 2 diabetes is one of our Foundation’s core causes, placing a strong emphasis on prevention and self-management.
The chronic disease management benefit is part of our commitment to working directly with industry health experts to reduce and manage chronic illnesses, improve health outcomes and help ensure the sustainability of benefit plans. Our expanded benefit to managing chronic disease gives access to targeted health services delivered by a network of specialized healthcare professionals which now includes a CDE and, will in the future include additional diabetes healthcare providers. With direct care from health care professionals, members also receive on-going education and support, reimbursement for services received and ultimately, effective tools to improve their health.
By connecting health benefits, wellness and chronic disease management, Medavie Blue Cross is providing comprehensive benefit options to make a real difference in improving our members’ health. Using our existing relationships, evident through our chronic disease program and our unique patient-first network, which ensures members get the support and services they need, when they need it, we are giving members a new way to access care and live better.
Quotes:
Anne Nicoll, Vice President Health and Disability Management, Medavie Blue Cross: “With recent industry and media attention around high-cost specialty drugs, we are providing a solution to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma, because they too have a significant impact on drug plans. Chronic diseases affect 56% of employees, meaning workplaces see lost productivity and increased health care costs. As a health care partner, we have a deep understanding of how our members access health care, and know we can make a difference in the quality of people’s lives, organizational wellness and help ensure that our health care system remains affordable with ongoing access to care.”
Rick Blickstead, Canadian Diabetes Association President and CEO: “The importance of keeping people with diabetes healthy and preventing type 2 diabetes whenever possible has never been more important in Canada, as we now have more than 10 million people affected by diabetes or prediabetes and, a new case diagnosed every three minutes. Managing diabetes is a 24/7 job. Helping people obtain the care they need and take their medication appropriately helps avoid serious complications, such as vision loss and amputations. We are pleased to work with Medavie Blue Cross to support this added focus on diabetes.”
Quick Fact:
For more information about our Managing Chronic Disease program, join the conversation on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Related links:
www.medaviebc.ca/livebetter
www.diabetes.ca
www.lung.ca
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About Medavie Blue Cross
Medavie Blue Cross is a not-for-profit organization that provides health, dental, travel, life and income replacement products to small and large companies in Atlantic Canada, Ontario and Quebec and to individual customers in Atlantic Canada. It also administers various provincial and federal government sponsored health programs.
Our shareholder is the community. We're proud of our more than 1,900 employees who donate their time and money to support healthy outcomes in communities across the six provinces where we operate. Through our Building Healthy Communities program and the Medavie Health Foundation, we contribute 13% of our annual net income to the communities where our clients and colleagues live and work.
Medavie Blue Cross is part of Medavie, a health services company. Together with Medavie EMS, the largest provider of Emergency Medical Services in Canada, we are dedicated to improving the health of all Canadians through integrating benefits management, health management and health care delivery.
About the Canadian Diabetes Association
The CDA is the registered national charity that helps the more than 10 million Canadians with diabetes or prediabetes live healthy lives, and educates those at risk. In communities across Canada, the CDA:
For more information, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).