We recently posted the 2016-2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines Summary, which replaces the previous version. 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
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• coronary heart disease
• diabetes
• heart failure
• obesity
• renal disease
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• autism spectrum disorders
• depression
• substance abuse disorders

Changes in the 2016-2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines Summary include updates to the current guidelines, as well as the addition of the following guidelines:

• Asthma. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). URL for Appendix to 2016 Report; At-A-Glance Asthma Management Reference for adults, adolescents and children 6 ? 11 years.
• COPD. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) COPD Diagnosis and Management At-A-Glance Desk Reference.
• Coronary Heart Disease. AHA/ACC Guideline on Lifestyle Management to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk.
• Diabetes. Oral Pharmacologic Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
• Renal Disease. Screening, Monitoring, and Treatment of Stage 1 to 3 Chronic Kidney Disease.

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 2016-2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines Summary, on our AmeriHealth New Jersey website or AmeriHealth Pennsylvania website. Paper copies can be ordered by submitting an online request or by calling the Provider Supply Line at 1-800-858-4728.