Communication Key to Improving Medication and Treatment Outcomes

Business Wire, Oct 23, 2007

Premera and Noted Author Offer Tips to Members to Spark Discussions

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Following announcement of an industry-leading fill rate for generic medications, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska today announced ways for members to improve their conversations about medications and treatment options for certain ailments with their physician or healthcare provider.

Developed in conjunction with John Abramson, M.D., Harvard professor and author of Overdosed America, this tip sheet can mean better communication and improved understanding of a member's medication and treatment options.

"We are bombarded daily with advertisements and news stories about new drugs, advanced treatments and alternative and more expensive ways to treat a variety of ailments," said Dr. Abramson. "But is newer always better? In some cases, the answer may be yes but on many other occasions, the answer is probably no."

When discussing treatment options with your doctor, be sure to ask:

* Does this prescription have a generic option?

* Could lifestyle changes accomplish the same thing as the medication you're recommending?

* What side effects I should be aware of? Would another drug be better on my system?

* Is the drug I saw advertised the best option for me? What else should we consider? What about options with fewer side effects and lower cost?

* These are the medications I'm taking now. Are there any potentially harmful interactions I should be aware of?

"Everyday, we work to provide peace of mind to our members about their healthcare coverage," said Ed Wong, Vice President of Pharmacy for Premera. "But we can benefit members in more ways than simply covering care. Offering education and support can go a long way towards achieving positive health outcomes."

"Any opportunity to have a conversation about treatment options with your provider is worth taking," said Dr. Abramson. "The key for patients is knowing what questions to ask and keeping good lines of communications open with their provider."

Note to Editors: Dr. Abramson will be speaking, October 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. The event, attended by the medical community in Anchorage, is open to members of the media. Pre- or post-event interview opportunities with Dr. Abramson are also available.

About Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska

Our mission is to provide peace of mind to our members about their health-care coverage. We provide health care coverage and related services to more than 1.3 million people. Premera Blue Cross has operated in Washington since 1933, and Alaska since 1952. Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska is a member of a family of companies based in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, that provide health, life, vision, dental, and long-term care insurance, and other related services. In the J. D. Power and Associates 2007 National Health Insurance Plan Satisfaction Study(SM), Premera Blue Cross achieved the highest member satisfaction with commercial health plans" (regional and national companies) serving the western U.S. 2007 is the inaugural year for this study.