Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plans

Back

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), and many regional Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, are rewarding and/or recognizing physicians enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and completing PIMs on a regular basis. BCBSA will recognize any physician with a Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield contract in their national provider directory through the Blue Distinction program. Physicians contracting with any of the regional plans listed below may be eligible to submit PIMs for additional recognition and/or reward. If your regional plan is not yet represented, please submit your PIM to BCBSA for national recognition through Blue Distinction and check this site regularly for information on new and upcoming programs.

The Blue Cross and /or Blue Shield plans include:

Top

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module –available through ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories that provide information regarding which participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Anthem’s plans formerly called this program the Value Networks Program. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation.

For more detailed information or to determine if you are eligible for this program, please contact Tracy Fennern at 303-831-3299.

Top

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module – available through the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories that provide information regarding which participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Anthem’s plans formerly called this program the Anthem Value Program. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation.

Top

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module –available through the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories that provide information regarding which participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Anthem’s plans formerly called this program the Anthem Value Program. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation.

Top

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kentucky

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kentucky will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module –available through the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories that provide information regarding which participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Anthem’s plans formerly called this program the Anthem Value Program. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation.

Top

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module –available through the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories that provide information regarding which participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Anthem’s plans formerly called this program the Anthem Value Program. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation.

Top

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module –available through the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories that provide information regarding which participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Anthem’s plans formerly called this program the Anthem Value Program. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation.

Top

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module –available through the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories which provide information regarding that participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Anthem’s plans formerly called this program the Anthem Value Program. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation.

Top

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module –available through the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories that provide information regarding which participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Anthem’s plans formerly called this program the Anthem Value Program. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation.

Top

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module –available through the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories that provide information regarding which participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Anthem’s plans formerly called this program the Anthem Value Program. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation.

Top

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wisconsin

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wisconsin will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module –available through the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories that provide information regarding which participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Anthem’s plans formerly called this program the Anthem Value Program. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation.

Top

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA)

ABIM diplomates who contract with a Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield company have the opportunity to be recognized as part of Blue Distinction for being enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and completing PIMs. Blue Distinction is the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies’ nationwide program to work with physicians, hospitals and medical societies in order to encourage a consistent, evidence-based approach to care.

Physicians engaged in ongoing performance assessment and improvement are recognized in BCBSA’s national provider locator Websites, the BlueCard® Doctor and Hospital Finder, and the Federal Employee Program Online Provider Directory, which collectively can reach up to 97 million Blue members. BCBSA will recognize any ABIM diplomate as a Blue Distinction provider — individually or as a group — for each PIM completed since January 1, 2006.

Blue Distinction recognition in BCBSA's national provider directory is now available and will last for up to two years for each completed PIM. For more detailed information about Blue Distinction, contact Matthew Schuller in BCBSA's Office of Clinical Affairs at (312) 297-6859 or visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.

Top

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module –available through the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories that provide information regarding which participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation.

Top

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE)

BCBSNE will recognize and reward network internists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete any ABIM PIM annually. If you are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and have completed a PIM since January 2006, you may report this information to BSBCNE for recognition and reward. For more detailed information or to determine if you are eligible for this program, visit BCBSNE's website at www.bcbsneprovider.com/providerlibrary.

Top

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST)

BCBST will recognize network internists and subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete any ABIM PIM at least once every two years. If you are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and have completed a PIM since January 1, 2006, you may report this information to BCBST for recognition in their on-line physician directory. For more detailed program information, contact Bill Cecil at 423-763-3372.

Top

Blue Cross of California

Blue Cross of California will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module –available through the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories that provide information regarding which participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation. For more detailed information, please contact Network Relations at 800-933-6633.

Top

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst)

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) and CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc. (CareFirst BlueChoice) have introduced a new, voluntary, pay-for-quality program, CareFirst Quality Rewards (CQR). Select physicians in CareFirst (GHMSI* Select Preferred Provider and Participating) and CareFirst BlueChoice networks have the opportunity to earn up to 20 points in the CQR program for completion of any PIM. CareFirst and CareFirst BlueChoice will accept PIMs completed after January 1, 2007 by ABIM-certified internists and subspecialists, including cardiologists, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, hematologists, oncologists, infectious disease specialists, nephrologists, pulmonologists, and rheumatologists, as well as ABFM-certified family physicians within a mixed group practice.

For more information contact your Professional Provider Representative or visit www.carefirst.com > Providers & Physicians > Solution Center > CareFirst Quality Rewards.

* Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc.

Top

Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New York

Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New York will recognize completion of a designated ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module –available through the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program – with several other criteria to designate quality providers for the Blue Precision program. Blue Precision is a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association whereby large, national customers have access to provider directories that provide information regarding which participating physicians practicing in certain specialties are designated based on certain standards as quality and/or cost efficient providers. Network cardiology subspecialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete a Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension and/or a Self-Directed PIM will receive a quality designation to be displayed beginning September 2007. (This date, as well as rollout of the BluePrecision program, may vary by market within and among states.) The ABIM icon representing "Improving Practice Performance" will accompany the quality designation.

Top

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield of NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield of NY will recognize participating network internists and sub-specialists who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification and complete an ABIM PIMSM Practice Improvement Module (PIM) every two years. If you have completed a PIM since January 1, 2007, you may report this information to Excellus BCBS and be recognized in their online provider directory for your commitment to quality improvement. For more information, please contact the Quality Management Department at 1-800-574-2390 or visit www.excellus.com.

Top

Highmark Blue Shield (Highmark)*

Diplomates practicing in Western and Central Pennsylvania with a Highmark contract who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification may use a PIM for Highmark's QualityBLUE program. This program awards points to practices that submit an acceptable Best Practice Initiative focused on a specific patient care or clinical care quality improvement project. Highmark will now recognize PIMs as meeting the requirement for a Best Practice Initiative. To obtain credit, all physicians in your practice should complete a PIM (individually or as a group). Highmark will accept any PIM completed individually or as a group after January 2006.

For more detailed information about how to submit your PIM for Highmark’s QualityBLUE program, you may download a PDF of the program details or contact your local Highmark Provider Relations Representative, as follows:

* Highmark does not accept electronic confirmation of PIM completion through ABIM's website. You may print your Status Report from the Physician Login area.

Top

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon)

Diplomates practicing in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania with a Horizon contract who are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification may receive credit within Horizon's Physician Recognition Program for completing a PIM. The recognition program acknowledges physician practices that have demonstrated high quality. Horizon will accept any completed PIM as a group. PIMs completed after January 2006 may be considered during future recognition reporting cycles.

Top

Triple-S Blue Cross Blue Shield (Puerto Rico)*

Internal medicine and subspecialty Diplomates with a Triple-S contract who are enrolled and actively engaged in Maintenance of Certification will be recognized with a performance incentive bonus and special designation in Triple-S's online provider directory. Participation in this program requires a physician to complete, at a two year interval, one of the required components of Maintenance of Certification (i.e., knowledge module, PIM or the secure examination) anytime after January 1, 2007.

For more detailed information or to determine if you are eligible for this program,contact Francisco Joglar, MD. FACP at 787-749-4156 or at fjoglar@ssspr.com.

* Triple-S does not accept electronic confirmation of PIM completion through ABIM's website. You may print your Status Report from the Physician Login area.

Top

© 2004 - 2008 American Board of Internal Medicine | 510 Walnut Street, Suite 1700, Philadelphia, PA 19106