We recently posted the 2018-2019 Clinical Practice Guideline 
Summary, which replaces the previous version on the Independence website. 
The revised summary includes a listing of all Clinical Practice Guidelines 
adopted by Independence 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 2018-2019 Clinical Practice Guideline 
Summary include updates to the current guidelines, as well as the 
addition of the following guidelines:
- Heart Disease. 
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Improving Function and Reducing Risk. 2016.
- The Care of Children with Congenital Heart Disease in Their Primary Medical 
Home. 2017.
- Obesity. 
- Algorithm for the Assessment and Management of Childhood Obesity in 
Patients 2 Years and Older. 2015.
In addition, the following guidelines were removed:
- Heart Disease. 
- 2013 AHA/ACC Guideline of Lifestyle Management to Reduce Cardiovascular 
Risk.
- Diabetes. 
- Management of Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in Children and 
Adolescents.
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 Independence Quality Committee, which is comprised 
of network physicians.
You can access the 2018-2019 Clinical Practice Guideline 
Summary on our website. Paper copies can be ordered by submitting 
an online request.