Highmark Selects P4 Healthcare to Help Physicians Improve Quality, Outcomes, Cost-Effectiveness of Oncology Care

News provided by

Nov 11, 2010, 08:30 ET

DUBLIN, Ohio, Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) today announced that its P4 Healthcare business has been selected by Highmark, a leading health insurer in Pennsylvania, to work with physicians across the Highmark network to identify clinical protocols that improve the consistency, quality and cost-effectiveness of treatment regimens for breast, lung, colon and other common types of cancer.

"Highmark's care management activities are focused on aligning incentives among our health plans, network providers and patients so that our members receive the right care at the right time in the most appropriate setting," said Donald Fischer, M.D., Highmark's senior vice president and chief medical officer. "Our work with P4 Healthcare underscores Highmark's efforts to ensure the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective care that reflects well-established cancer care pathways."

Development of these evidence-based protocols, or clinical pathways, will be led by Dr. Bruce Feinberg, a leading oncology expert who recently joined the P4 Healthcare team as vice president of clinical operations management. Feinberg will work with regional committees, comprised of local physicians in the Highmark network, to develop pathways for delivering patient care for specific states and stages of cancer.

P4 Healthcare will also provide proprietary technology, tools, educational programs and training to help physicians within the Highmark network implement and seamlessly monitor adherence to the pathways. These tools also capture clinical results and track cost savings of the pathways program – without the burden of additional administrative work.

"The incidence of cancer is projected to increase by 50 percent in the next two decades," said Jeffrey Scott, M.D., senior vice president and general manager of P4 Healthcare. "By working collaboratively with physicians and innovative payors like Highmark, we can improve patient access to high-quality oncology care while also improving costs and efficiency."

Cardinal Health acquired Healthcare Solutions Holding, parent company of P4 Pathways and P4 Healthcare, in July. The acquisition will help propel the growth of Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions, which provides clinical, reimbursement and distribution services to help healthcare providers, payors and pharmaceutical manufacturers deliver quality, cost-effective care to patients with complex diseases.

Highmark is the fifth Blue Cross Blue Shield plan to partner with P4 Healthcare since its launch in 2008.

About Cardinal Health

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $99 billion health care services company that improves the cost-effectiveness of health care. As the business behind health care, Cardinal Health helps pharmacies, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices focus on patient care while reducing costs, improving efficiency and quality, and increasing profitability. Cardinal Health is an essential link in the health care 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 #17 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 30,000 people worldwide. More information about the company may be found at cardinalhealth.com.

About Highmark Inc.

As one of the leading health insurers in Pennsylvania, Highmark Inc.'s mission is to provide access to affordable, quality health care enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives. Based in Pittsburgh, Highmark serves 4.7 million people through the company's health care benefits business. Additional information about Highmark can be found at highmark.com.

SOURCE Cardinal Health