CaliforniaCare Health Plans introduces unique asthma control program to its Medi-Cal members.CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 1996--CaliforniaCare Health Plans, an affiliate of Blue Cross of California and a licensee of the Blue Cross Association, is launching an innovative asthma control program for its Medi-Cal members. This program is designed to decrease the frequency of acute attacks, improving the general health of asthmatic members. This is a pilot program which started in September in Sacramento County, and will be rolled out in the remaining six counties where Blue Cross provides Medi-Cal services during the next six months. Those counties include Alameda, Fresno, Kern, Orange, San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden , and Santa Clara Santa Clara, city, Cuba Santa Clara (sän`tä klä`rä), city (1994 est. pop. 217,000), capital of Villa Clara prov., central Cuba. "The unusually high humidity this summer has resulted in higher pollen counts," said Dawn Wood, M.D., Medical Director, Medi-Cal Programs. "As a consequence, asthmatics are feeling pretty miserable. Our program provides members with an asthma control kit, which can help ease some of the suffering." The asthma control kit includes a peak flow meter peak flow meter n. A portable instrument that detects minute decreases in air flow and that is used by people with asthma to monitor small changes in breathing capacity. and spacer. A peak flow meter determines the amount of air exhaled and indicates whether or not there is a restriction of air flow. The spacer is a plastic device that attaches to the inhaler inhaler /in·hal·er/ (in-hal´er) 1. an apparatus for administering vapor or volatilized medications by inhalation. 2. ventilator (2). in·hal·er n. and delivers medicine more effectively. "These two small pieces of equipment are essential for the home management of asthma," said Dr. Wood. "Once we have identified our asthmatic members, we will send kits to each individual's physician. The doctors will demonstrate to their patients how to use the kit and educate them on the positive health implications of using the equipment." Blue Cross' Medi-Cal members should contact their primary care physicians if they have not already been notified about the availability of the asthma control kits. Blue Cross of California is the California operating subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks Inc., one of the nation's largest publicly traded managed care companies serving the health care needs of more than 4 million medical members. WellPoint offers a comprehensive array of quality health plans provided through health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations pre·ferred provider organization n. Abbr. PPO A medical insurance plan in which members receive more coverage if they choose health care providers approved by or affiliated with the plan. and specialty managed health care networks. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management A Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) is a third party administrator of prescription drug programs. They are primarily responsible for processing and paying prescription drug claims. , dental, vision, mental health, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts flexible spending account, n an employee reimbursement account primarily funded with employee-designated salary reductions. Funds are reimbursed to the employee for health care (medical and/or dental), dependent care, and/or legal expenses and are , COBRA administration and 24-hour integrated, network-based workers' compensation workers' compensation, payment by employers for some part of the cost of injuries, or in some cases of occupational diseases, received by employees in the course of their work. . CONTACT: Blue Cross of California Cam Freedlund, 818/703-2463 |
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