Midwest Health Plan, a Dearborn, Michigan-based Medicaid HMO, sought to improve use of preventive health screening measures -- pap smears, mammograms, and chlamydia screening, as well as pre- and post-natal care services -- among its Spanish-speaking, African-American and Arabic (comprising 75% of service-area members) minority populations in Dearborn and Detroit. A concerted effort over two years led to increases from 13% to 42% in members' timely use of these important preventive health services.

The program's results were largely due to efforts that created a more culturally sensitive environment at medical offices, removed Spanish and Arabic language barriers and provided culturally sensitive outreach to pregnant women. By partnering with community organizations -- such as the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services -- the program provided incentives for offering and using women's preventive health care services. Incentives included financial rewards (pay-for-performance) to physicians and gift cards for health plan members. (Contact: June West, junewestameritech)

Independence Blue Cross, Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Vietnamese Members

Independence Blue Cross, based in southeastern Pennsylvania and serving 3.3 million people, sought to increase the rate of colorectal cancer screening among Vietnamese HMO members in Philadelphia who had not had a test done in the past five years. Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S., but one of the most preventable when detected early.

In cooperation with the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Vietnamese members were identified through a surname analysis. For the study, members were divided into groups with each receiving differing levels of communication -- ranging from only a single letter to a letter with up to two automated-reminder telephone calls. The letter included information on the importance of screening and the availability of a translator. A control group did not receive special communication. During the study period, August 2008 to February 2009, colorectal cancer screening compliance rates increased among all Vietnamese members, including the control group. (Contact: Lisa.Yoonibx)

More information is available on each of these programs at: www.ncqa/clas.aspx

Health plans will receive their awards at a dinner on Thursday, October 15, in Washington, D.C. The keynote speaker is Garth N. Graham, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health in the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services. The event is sponsored by Eli Lilly, with additional support from Bristol-Myers Squibb, CryerHealth and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Health plans will also showcase their award-winning initiatives at a poster session and reception preceding the award ceremony.

NCQA's "Recognizing Innovation in Multicultural Health Care Award" program, also supported by The Office of Minority Health, brings together health plans, employers, physicians, policy makers and others to recognize innovative practices and breakthroughs in reducing health care disparities. The program:

-- Identifies and recognizes innovative practices in health plans -- Highlights transferable examples for adoption and dissemination -- Adds to the growing evidence base on effective methods -- Advances efforts to improve multicultural health care and eliminate health care disparities -- Supports development of voluntary standards for multicultural health care

SOURCE: NCQA