We recently updated our 2019 – 2020 Clinical Practice Guidelines Summary, which provides sources and references to support your clinical decision-making. The revised summary includes a listing of all Clinical Practice Guidelines adopted by Independence that are considered accepted standards of care. Adherence to these guidelines may assist in improving patient outcomes.

Medical health guidelines are available for the following conditions:

• asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• diabetes
• heart disease
• obesity

Behavioral health guidelines are adapted based on national peer reviewed information developed by our delegate, Magellan Healthcare, Inc. (Magellan). The 2019 – 2020 Clinical Practice Guidelines Summary includes information on how to access the behavioral health guidelines on Magellan’s website.

Guidelines are available for, but not limited to, the following conditions:

• anxiety
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• autism spectrum disorders
• depression
• eating disorders
• substance use disorder

Changes in the 2019 – 2020 Clinical Practice Guidelines Summary

Based on provider feedback, changes in the 2019 – 2020 Clinical Practice Guidelines Summary include the following additions, updates, and deletions:

• Asthma
  • Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention (GINA Reports). Diagnosis and Management of Difficult-to-treat and Severe Asthma in Adolescent and Adult Patients (2018).
• Heart Disease
  • 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults.
  • Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents (2017).

• Asthma
  • Global Initiative for Asthma (2018): Full Report, Appendix to Full Report, and Pocket Guide.
• COPD
  • Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of COPD: Full Report and Pocket Guide (2018).
• Diabetes
  • American Diabetes Association Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes (2019).

• Asthma
  • Asthma, COPD and Asthma COPD Overlap Syndrome: In 2018 GINA and GOLD overlap was not a single disease but a range of different underlying mechanisms.
• Heart Disease
  • 2015 AHA/ACC/ASH Guideline on the Treatment of Hypertension and CAD. This reference has been updated.

Guidelines are updated annually based on changes made to nationally recognized sources. Changes are reviewed by internal and external clinicians, including network physicians, quality committees, and others.

You can access the 2019 – 2020 Clinical Practice Guideline Summary on our website. Paper copies of the guidelines can be ordered by submitting an online request.

Magellan Healthcare, Inc., an independent company, manages mental health and substance abuse benefits for most Independence members.