Independent Blue Claims Cut In Illness Costs

Independence Blue Cross, Philadelphia, says it has achieved significant costs savings from a new chronic disease management program.

IBC says its Connections health management program provides professional advice to help members manage the 5 most common chronic illnesses. Its own evaluation claims medical cost savings of 1.5% to 2% for treatment of diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.

Over 235,000 IBC members have at least 1 of the 5 illnesses, and 98% of them participate in the Connections program, the company says.