Promising Practices for Health Insurers Related to Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health

Objective: (1)      Develop a survey instrument to assess diabetes and cardiovascular health indicators among health insurers. (2)      Assess adherence to quality measures for cardiovascular health and diabetes among Louisiana’s primary health insurers. (3)      Provide policy recommendations on the adoption of effective and cost efficient diabetes and cardiovascular health promotion practices.

Methods: The Louisiana Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) and Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program (HDSP) partnered with the Louisiana Association of Health Plans (LAHP) to conduct the Cardiovascular and Diabetes Quality Measures (CDQM) Survey among Louisiana’s top health insurers. The CDQM Survey provided a baseline for measuring diabetes and cardiovascular qualitative indicators utilized by health insurers. The DPCP and HDSP researched and developed a survey instrument. Health insurers had 3 months to complete the 53 item questionnaire electronically.

Results: The survey yielded statistical data that will provide health insurers with an opportunity to determine areas of best practices and areas needing improvement. The surveyed health insurers need to cultivate programs and services to control high blood pressure, diabetes outpatient self-management education, and hemoglobin A1C.

Conclusion: The DPCP and HDSP are in the process of completing a publication of the results and providing formal recommendations to the participating health insurers. However, in order to provide comprehensive policies that improve patient health and provider practices, the health insurers should encourage the adoption of electronic data systems like electronic medical records, automated prescription systems in hospitals, primary care settings, or at provider’s offices.