"Working with Cardinal Health on a similar program focused on oncology, we have learned that physicians embrace the opportunity to take an active, leading role in working to improve the quality and reduce the costs of patient care," said Winston Wong, Pharm. D., associate vice president, CareFirst Pharmacy Management. "We're excited to apply P4 Pathways' physician-centric approach to pioneer innovative new ways to improve the way we care for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis."

Through this new P4 Pathways Program for Rheumatoid Arthritis:


· Participating physicians within the CareFirst network will have the opportunity to pilot a new, easy-to-use electronic tool that helps physicians measure patient CDAI scores by monitoring disease progression and the effectiveness of therapy. This first-of-its- kind tool leverages touch-screen technology to increase accessibility for patients with limited dexterity, and helps physicians determine when medication regimens need to be modified.

· Physicians will work with Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions and CareFirst to develop new 'pay for quality' programs that reward doctors for taking proven steps to improve the quality and cost efficiency of RA care. They will also collaborate to develop new ways to compensate physicians for delivering cognitive care to patients; and to ensure participating physicians receive higher rates of reimbursement in recognition of pathways compliance.

· Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions will also provide additional proprietary technology, tools, educational programs and training to help participating physicians within the CareFirst network implement and monitor use of the clinical pathways. These tools will also capture clinical results and track cost savings of the program - without additional administrative work for participating physicians.

"Innovative programs like this are creating a new paradigm for enabling payors and physicians to work together to improve the quality and costs of care," said Roshan Girglani, vice president and general manager of Rheumatology for Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions. "Our ultimate goal is to leverage collaborative efforts like this to ensure patients continue to have access to quality, personalized care in the community practice setting - where care is proven to be most convenient and cost-effective."

About CareFirst
In its 74th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to more than 3.4 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and portions of Northern Virginia. Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.

More HCB News