KEYWORD1:
AFIX, HMO, private-public partnership

BACKGROUND:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) HMO networks include approximately 800 pediatricians and 1100 family practitioners who provide immunizations to about 27,000 Illinois children under two.
Despite quality improvement activities directed towards both members and practitioners, BCBSIL HMO HEDIS Childhood Immunization rates remain below the Quality Compass National Averge and Health People 2010 goals. Therefore, BCBSIL collaborated with the Illinois, Cook and Chicago Departments of Public Health. Contracted medical groups/IPAs could earn additional compensation if:
-the majority of physicians caring for young children had an AFIX visit, and
-the MG/IPA developed a corrective action plan for overcoming low immunization rates.
This health plan/health department effort has created a template usuable in the managed care inductry.

OBJECTIVE:
To increase immunization rates for two year olds and in the offices of BCBSIL PCPs in Illinois and to introduce PCPs to local public health efforts to increase immunization rates.

METHOD:
BCBSIL and the local and state public health departments collaboratively:
1. Identified the number of eligible BCBSIL PCPs and estimated the number willing to participate
2. determined feasibility by assessing public health resources
3. developed project specifications and communicated them to the HMO network
4. established responsibilities within the public/private partnership
5. shared information and overcame obstacles to implement the program

RESULT:
This successful project with compensation for providers attracted over 700 Illinois physicians to request an AFIX visit and has introduced PCPs to local public health. To date, approximately 80% have had an assessment. Follow-up is ongoing.

CONCLUSION:
Managed care and public health can successfully collaborate to improve immunization rates in PCP practices. AFIX can guide quality improvement initiatives.
LEARNINGOBJECTIVES:
List some shared responsibilities of managed care and public health in collaboration.
Describe 2 process steps for collaboration.