We recently posted the 2017-2018 Clinical Practice Guideline Summary, which replaces the previous version on the AmeriHealth websites. The revised Summary includes a listing of all Clinical Practice Guidelines adopted by AmeriHealth that are considered the accepted minimum standard of care in the medical profession. Adherence to these guidelines may lead to improved patient outcomes.

Guidelines are available for the following medical and behavioral health conditions:

• asthma
• autism spectrum disorders
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• depression
• diabetes
• heart disease
• obesity
• substance abuse disorders

Changes in the 2017-2018 Clinical Practice Guideline Summary include updates to the current guidelines, as well as the addition of the following guidelines:

• COPD. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). At-A-Glance Outpatient Management Reference. 2017.
• Diabetes. Oral Pharmacologic Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Clinical Practice Guideline Update from the American College of Physicians. 2017.
• Obesity. Update on Office-Based Strategies for the Management of Obesity. 2016.

In addition, the following guidelines were removed:

• guidelines directed toward specialty care
• guidelines that do not have a direct evidence-based reference
• guidelines for heart failure, renal disease, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Individual clinical decisions should be tailored to specific patient medical and psychosocial needs. As national guideline recommendations evolve, please update your practice accordingly. The Summary provides the reference for each condition and links directly to the guidelines.

We update the guidelines annually based on changes made to nationally recognized sources. Changes are reviewed by internal and external consultants, as appropriate, and by the AmeriHealth Quality Committee, which is comprised of network physicians.

You can access the 2017-2018 Clinical Practice Guideline Summary on the websites for AmeriHealth New Jersey or AmeriHealth Pennsylvania . Paper copies can be ordered by submitting an online request for AmeriHealth New Jersey or AmeriHealth Pennsylvania.