Blue Cross of California Provides Free Glucose Monitor to All Diabetic Members; New Program Designed to Enhance and Expand Health-Management Program.

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 10, 1999--Blue Cross of California, the California subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks Inc., one of the nation's largest publicly traded managed- care companies, has implemented a new program to provide complimentary LifeScan blood-glucose meters to all of its diabetic members.

This new program, in conjunction with LifeScan Inc., an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson, is being offered to more than 60,000 Blue Cross of California diabetic members, as well as any member newly diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes, which affects approximately 5 percent of the nation's population, remains one of the leading causes of death in this country.

"The glucometer has become a critical element in helping diabetics better manage their disease," said Richard Smith, M.D., Blue Cross of California medical director. "They have been instrumental in allowing diabetics to gauge more effectively the doses of insulin that they need at any given time, which helps to stabilize their condition."

"Tighter control of blood sugar, measured through HbA1c (glycoslated hemoglobin) has been shown to help slow the progression of the disease, resulting in lower incidences of co-morbidities, such as retinal problems and cardiovascular disease," added Robert Seidman, Blue Cross of California vice president of pharmacy.

"The latest study by the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DDCT) Research Group indicated that good blood-glucose control reduced complications of the eyes, kidneys and nervous system by 60 percent."

Blue Cross is making four LifeScan glucometers available to members: ONETOUCH Profile Meter features simple testing, a 250-test memory, insulin-dosage information and additional features that assist the diabetic in identifying glucose trends; SureStep Meter combines a touchable test strip with a large-letter display for those with vision or dexterity difficulties; ONETOUCH Basic Meter offers basic features with quick, accurate results; FastTake is a portable monitor that takes small blood samples and provides results in 15 seconds.

All Blue Cross of California members are advised to consult with their physicians or diabetes educators before selecting one of the four optional monitors.

Blue Cross members can receive a new or replacement meter, including a two- to three-day starter supply of test strips, by calling 888/611-9891, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"We are very enthusiastic about this new program," said Ron Williams, Blue Cross of California president. "It gives our members the tools that they need to better monitor their condition, maintain their health and minimize their disease progression. This helps to put them back in control of their overall health."

Blue Cross of California, with nearly 4.6 million medical members, is the California-operating subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks, one of the nation's largest publicly traded managed-care companies. Based in Thousand Oaks, Calif., WellPoint serves the health-care needs of more than 6.8 million medical and more than 24 million specialty members nationally.

WellPoint offers a broad spectrum of quality network-based products including HMO, PPO and specialty managed-care products. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management, dental, utilization management, vision, mental health, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA administration, and Medicare supplements.