The BlueCross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), an association of independent Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® plans, has launched the
Open Bed Campaign, an initiative designed to improve adult vaccination rates and reduce COVID-19 mortality rates.
Vaccination
The
Open Bed Campaign's mission is to immunize all eligible adults for vaccine preventable diseases including pneumococcal and
influenza infection. By increasing vaccination rates, BCBSA hopes to:
- reduce the hospitalization demand on local health systems;
- reduce the risk of co-infection with multiple respiratory system diseases in vulnerable patients; and
- improve patient health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
BCBSA will work with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) to deliver two grant-supported programs to achieve the
Open Bed Campaign's vaccination goal: continuing medical education and process improvement support.
Continuing Medical Education
The
Open Bed Campaign offers NCQA-accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses, delivered via an online Learning Management System.
Providers who complete the CME activities will earn 20 AMA-PRA Category 1 CME Credits for Performance Improvement (PI) CME and potentially 20 ABIM Maintenance of Certification practice assessment points.
Independence is committed to providing our members with access to the care they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage all Independence members and providers to visit our dedicated
COVID-19 webpage regularly for the latest news and updates. We will continue to evaluate member needs as the situation changes.
Process improvement support
Performance assessment measures are designed to track vaccination rates and share feedback with providers.
The NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) Adult Immunization Status
measure counts pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations in adults. The pneumococcal component focuses on the elderly and immune-compromised, as well as those with co-morbid conditions.
Providers view their results in an online dashboard to compare their practice's performance to an aggregate result of other providers in the program.
Look for registration information and more program details from Independence in the coming weeks.
HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Used with permission.
Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.