BCBSIL’s Influenza Prevention Program Receives Recognition

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and Harvard Medical School researchers have recognized BCBSIL for developing an innovative program that significantly increases influenza vaccination rates.

The Reducing the Burden of Influenza program featured the participation of every contracting medical group/independent practice association in HMO Illinois or BlueAdvantageSM HMO since 2000. From 1999 to 2002, influenza vaccination rates for targeted HMO members increased significantly from 22.8 percent in 1998 to 32.7 percent in 2002. In conjunction, the rate of hospital admissions for treatment of influenza and pneumonia decreased, with 134 pneumonia and influenza admissions avoided during the winter of 2002 - reducing billed charges by nearly $4.4 million.

According to the Harvard Medical School researchers, our influenza prevention program “demonstrates the commitment of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois to provide clinically relevant, cost-effective care to its high-risk members. The Plan has devised a strategy to provide effective care that is readily available, but is generally underutilized in all areas of the United States.”

The benefit of increasing the influenza vaccination rate extends well beyond reducing the number of hospitalizations. Dr. Carol Wilhoit, BCBSIL's Medical Director for Quality Improvement, explains, "Hospital admissions are only the 'tip of the iceberg.' For every person hospitalized, approximately 200 people contract the flu and about half of them seek medical care. These infections cause significant suffering, increase medical and pharmaceutical usage and result in time lost from work. Changes in physician practice that result from this program hold the promise of promoting broader increases in influenza vaccination rates."

The Association’s report —in collaboration with Harvard Medical School researchers—cited BCBSIL and five other Blues Plans for developing innovative programs with contracting health care professionals that improve the quality of care and help control the cost of care.