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Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Adds Online Physician Quality Information to Web Site

Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is providing its members with online physician quality information to help them make more informed health care decisions.

"Today, more people have greater out-of-pocket expenses and want to know where to obtain the best care at the best price," said Dr. Carey Vinson, Highmark vice president of medical and quality performance management, in a press release. "Publicly reported quality and cost data, also referred to as 'transparency,' are in high demand, and we're dedicated to giving our group customers and members the information they need to obtain the best health care possible."

Since 2004, Highmark has been reporting national cost and quality data to members through its Web site. Highmark contracts with Subimo (River Forest, Ill.), to provide access to an array of publicly reported quality measures.

Highmark's member Web site now includes a "Hospital and Physician Quality Measures" link that allows members to view physician ratings, which are based on particular care quality measures. Care is measured on preventive screenings, office visits and recommended tests and procedures for three areas -- diabetes, pediatrics and women's health. The information being displayed is limited to primary care physicians.

Physicians are rated using one, two or three stars. Stars are used to show how the physician's Highmark patient base compares to the Highmark patient base of similar physicians. More stars indicate the physician's Highmark patients have received the specified care at a higher rate than the Highmark patients of his or her peers.

Highmark's online provider directory includes board certification; National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recognition; and medical school, internship and residency information. Members can also find more useful data such as electronic prescribing ability and use of electronic medical records. An expanded search is available for selecting a physician based on gender, languages spoken and evening or weekend office hours.

Peggy Bresnick Kendler has been a writer for 30 years. She has worked as an editor, publicist and school district technology coordinator. During the past decade, Bresnick Kendler has worked for UBM TechWeb on special financialservices technology-centered ... View Full Bio

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