Managed Healthcare Executive - October 2008 - (Page 31)

Smackdown” and the award-winning “Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detective,” designed to combat childhood obesity and promote healthy eating and exercise habits. It also includes Kaiser physician Preston Mering’s blog devoted to healthy, seasonal cooking (kp.org/ farmersmarketrecipes). Venturing beyond the site, Kaiser began posting its TV ads on YouTube in August, is piloting a program in Southern California that enables physicians and patients to engage in evisits via Webcam, and is studying the use of mobile technologies and text messaging. “One of the things we have really recognized is that there is no single way to communicate with a member,” says Holly Potter, vice president of national media and stakeholder management for Kaiser Permanente. When it comes to alternative ways of communicating, MCOs agree that cell phones hold tremendous promise for both physiological monitoring and communication. One such application includes remote monitoring for patients with chronic conditions. AmeriHealth Mercy, a Philadelphiabased Medicaid plan, recently launched a pilot program to provide diabetics with cell phones equipped with glucometers so they can check their blood sugar and relay that information to a data repository by simply hitting a button. Diabetics receive a message in return that tells them about their blood sugar and what they should do. The insurer is likewise exploring the possibility of using cell phones to provide pregnant women who are considered high risk with direct access to their doctors and AmeriHealth’s pregnancy management department. Cell phones can also be used to remind patients about appointments, promote compliance with drug regimens and deliver information and encouragement to help patients manage their health. Disease managers at AllOne Health Group are using cell phones to text members about diabetes, smoking cessation, back injury and heart failure, according to President and CEO William Reed. “Sending out mail pieces is somewhat ine ective because they tend to get tossed in with the junk mail or read a month later,” says Reed. “And there are HIPPA issues with the telephone, so you have to leave a message that is very generic. If you have to communicate speci c information, then the member has to call you back and that involves a lot of phone tag. Cell phones don’t have those issues.” And unlike TV ads, members don’t bypass their cell phone messages. MHE OCTOBER 2008 31 http://www.kp.org/farmersmarketrecipes http://www.kp.org/farmersmarketrecipes http://www.amerihealthmercy.com http://www.amerihealthmercy.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Managed Healthcare Executive - October 2008

Managed Healthcare Executive - October 2008 For Your Benefit Editorial Advisors Contents News Analysis State Report Politics &�Policy Healthcare Reform Trends in 2009 Cost Control Strategies Predicted Premium Increase Top Challenges in 2009 IT System Integration Technology Innovation Disease Management Health Management Pharmacy Best Practices Technology Desktop Resource Ad/Edit Index Managed Care Outlook Statement of Ownership

Managed Healthcare Executive - October 2008

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