Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Launch Quality Program for Cancer Treatment

Insurer Joins Program to Promote Best Practices in Treatment for Select Cancers

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Oct 22, 2012, 08:30 ET

BATON ROUGE, La. and DUBLIN, Ohio, Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions have launched a joint program designed to improve cancer treatment using clinical pathways.

The clinical pathways program helps identify and promote best clinical practices in treatment methods for select types of cancer.

"Our goal with this joint program is to work with doctors to improve the consistency, quality and cost-effectiveness of cancer treatment," said David Carmouche, MD, Blue Cross senior vice president and chief medical officer.

Carmouche said that Blue Cross clinical staff will work with oncologists and hematologists throughout the state, combining collaborative dialogue and clinical research with the latest technology—all aimed at encouraging high-quality, evidence-based standards of care to ensure best patient outcomes.

Blue Cross and Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions will establish a committee composed of network oncologists in communities across Louisiana. The committee will identify evidence-based treatment regimens, or clinical pathways, for delivering patient care for breast, colon and lung cancers, among others.

As of the program's launch date, Blue Cross has secured 100 percent participation of community oncologists in the Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport markets. Blue Cross network oncologists and hematologists who successfully implement the pathways program may be eligible for rewards and will be noted in the health insurer's searchable online provider directory at www.bcbsla.com/FindCare/.

Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions is an independent company that provides technology, education and training to help doctors implement and monitor current and new treatment methods in order to achieve better outcomes. The tools track clinical results and cost savings, while adding little administrative work for the oncologists and hematologists who participate.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana will also use PathWare™ Decision Transaction Solutions, Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions' medical benefit management system that makes it easier for physicians to participate in clinical pathways programs. The system provides physicians with real-time decision support at the point of care, including easy access to clinical pathways for various types of cancer.

"Patients who would benefit most from this cancer care pathways program are already facing big challenges in their health," said Mike Reitz, Blue Cross president and CEO. "Knowing they are getting treatment from doctors who are focused on continuous quality improvement should give them some peace of mind."

Reitz added, "We are excited to collaborate with Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions and our own community oncologists and hematologists. This is yet another example of how Blue Cross is building partnerships to improve the quality of care for our customers."

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Founded in New Orleans in 1934, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is the oldest and largest Louisiana-based health insurance company. Blue Cross is a private, fully taxed mutual company, owned by policyholders—not shareholders—and governed by a local Board of Directors. It is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The company and its subsidiaries provide group and individual health insurance plans, life and disability insurance, group voluntary products and administrative services to more than one out of every four Louisiana residents. With headquarters in Baton Rouge and eight district offices, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana employs nearly 2,000 Louisianians who are committed to improving the lives of its customers by providing them with health guidance and affordable access to quality care.Learn more on the company's website at www.bcbsla.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bluecrossla. Follow Blue Cross on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BCBSLA and CEO Mike Reitz at www.twitter.com/MikeReitzCEO.

About Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions
Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions provides clinical, reimbursement, technology and distribution services that help health care professionals, payors and pharmaceutical and biotech companies improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of caring for patients who are managing complex diseases. Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions helps customers alleviate day-to-day administrative burdens, optimize business functions and partner to implement new innovations that move their businesses forward. To learn more, visit www.cardinalhealth.com/specialtysolutions.

About Cardinal Health
Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $108 billion healthcare services company that improves the cost-effectiveness of healthcare. As the business behind healthcare, Cardinal Health helps pharmacies, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices focus on patient care while reducing costs, enhancing efficiency and improving quality. Cardinal Health is an essential link in the healthcare supply chain, providing pharmaceuticals and medical products to more than 60,000 locations each day. The company is also a leading manufacturer of medical and surgical products, including gloves, surgical apparel and fluid management products. In addition, the company supports the growing diagnostic industry by supplying medical products to clinical laboratories and operating the nation's largest network of radiopharmacies that dispense products to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ranked #21 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 30,000 people worldwide. More information about the company may be found at cardinalhealth.com and @CardinalHealth on Twitter.