BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

Updates to the Physician Recognition Program

November 04, 2010

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina are pleased to announce the continuation of the Physician Recognition Program (PRP). We launched the PRP in May 2005. Since then, we have recognized hundreds of physicians for their program achievements.
 
We are also introducing a new program. It’s called the Patient-Centered Medical Home Program. The program began October 1, 2010 and will run through September 30, 2011.
 
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) defines a patient-centered medical home as a “health care setting that facilitates partnerships between individual patients and their personal physicians, and when appropriate, the patient’s family. Care is facilitated by patient registries, information technology, health information exchange and other means to assure that patients get the indicated care when and where they need and want it in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.” The NCQA-PCMH program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians (ACP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA). We encourage you to learn more about this program. It is rapidly gaining momentum and attention as an innovative approach to primary care. Visit http://www.ncqa.org/tabid/631/Default.aspx for more information.
 
Your participation in any of the Physician Recognition Programs is voluntary. You must be a member of BlueCross’ Preferred Blue or BlueChoice HealthPlan’s provider networks. Network physicians who are recognized by the ADA/NCQA Diabetes Recognition Program, the AHA/ASA/NCQA Heart/Stroke Recognition Program or the American Society for Hypertension (ASH) Specialists Program may receive $2,000 from both BlueCross and BlueChoice HealthPlan! Become certified or re-certified for any two programs before September 30, 2011 and receive up to two $2,000 payments. In addition, any physician practice that achieves Patient-Centered Medical Home status may receive $2,000 from both BlueCross and BlueChoice HealthPlan. This award is limited to one payment per practice.
 
Please review the Physician Recognition Program page for details and qualifications. If you have already met the qualifications, congratulations! To receive your award, complete the “Physician Recognition Program Payment Request Form.” Submit the form with the letter of recognition/certification and the W-9.
 
BlueCross and BlueChoice HealthPlan look forward to recognizing you for one of these programs. If you have any questions, please contact:
 
BlueCross:Lance.Lockman@bcbssc.com or 803-264-9082.
BlueChoice HealthPlan: Rene.Frick@bluechoicesc.com or 803-382-5265.

_{BlueChoice HealthPlan is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association}