Help patients manage chronic conditions

This is part of an ongoing series of articles focusing on the tools and resources available to help FEP^® members manage their health.

Patients who manage their chronic conditions are less likely to have emergency room visits, hospital admissions or hospital readmissions. This article contains resources for health care providers and patients about managing chronic conditions.

For providers

The Michigan Quality Improvement Consortium Committee of the Michigan Association of Health Plans** has guidelines for managing chronic conditions. Here are some of those resources:

• Medical Management of Adults with Hypertension**
• Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus**
• Lipid Screening and Management**
• Opioid Prescribing in Adults Excluding Palliative and End-of-Life Care**
• Primary Care Diagnosis and Management of Adults with Depression**

For patients

Here are a few resources to help your patients manage chronic conditions:

• My Blood Pressure Log:** Patients can track their blood pressures based on their treatment plans.
• My Diabetes Care Record:** Patients can keep track of goals, track checkups and lab test results.
• The Scoop on Statins: What Do You Need to Know?:** Patients can learn about statins and how to address medication concerns.
• What to Ask Your Doctor Before Taking Opioids:** Patients can learn about the side effects of opioids and what to discuss with a health care professional.
• Commonly prescribed antidepressants and how they work:** Patients can read about the common types of antidepressants.

Sometimes flare-ups of a chronic condition can occur and require hospital services. When patients are seen by their provider within seven days after discharge, an additional emergency room visit, hospital admission or hospital readmission may be avoided.

For more information on FEP programs or benefits visit fepblue.org** or call Customer Service at 1-800-482-3600.

**Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan doesn’t own or control this website.