2007 National Conference on Tobacco or Health

Thursday, October 25, 2007
Exhibit Hall

Integrating a phone-based tobacco cessation program within a health plan

Christina M. Wetterling, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Center for Prevention, christina_wetterling@bluecrossmn.com, Darla Havlicek, BS, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Center for Prevention, Darla_j_Havlicek@bluecrossmn.com, Sheila Hubler, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Health Care Improvement, sheila_w_hubler@bluecrossmn.com.

Learning Objectives: Describe a systematic process that can be used to create successful integrations and direct referrals to a phone based counseling program Identify integration opportunities within health plan departments and programs Compare the program enrollment success across different integration and referral methods (fax, online registration, warm transfer)

Audience: Health plan professionals and tobacco control professionals Key Points: Members who are tobacco users are not systematically asked about their tobacco status and referred to the stop-smoking program for assistance. We chose to enhance referral mechanisms to the stop-smoking program by reaching out to other departments and programs within the health plan (i.e. disease management, pharmacy administration, case management, healthy pregnancy program, etc.) to create a more effective method of integration. We provided trainings to all our current and new integration partners. We solicited feedback from other program areas to determine how to increase referrals and enrollments. Learning Objectives: Describe a systematic process that can be used to create successful integrations and direct referrals to a phone based counseling program. Identify integration opportunities within health plan departments and programs. Compare the program enrollment success across different integration and referral methods (fax, online registration, warm transfer). Benefits: In 2006 we created additional integrations with key departments including inpatient care management, case management and the nurse line. As part of a pilot program, we have added tobacco assessment questions to the referral process for our nurse line. We will share results of the Pilot. As a result of our integration efforts enrollments increased 7% from 2005 to 2006. We developed a best practice for Integration: systematic assessment of member's tobacco status, training on stop-smoking program components, and direct referral processes to stop-smoking program.



Related Web Page:
preventionminnesota.com