II

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Figure 10: Preventive Visits and Preventive Visits With Standardized Developmental

Screenings at BCBST across 43 Providers

2000

1800

Preventive visits

1600

1,659

with develop 

1,551

mental screening

1400

1200

Preventive visits

isits

1000

V

800

600

629

400

557

200

0

December 2003

May 2004

ventive visits and the number of preventive visits with concurrent developmental

screening increased each quarter.  For example, from December 2003 to May 2004,

the number of preventive visits increased by seven percent, going from 1,551 to 1,659.

During the same time period, the number of preventive visits with concurrent develop 

mental screening evaluations increased by 13 percent, going from 557 to 629.  This

group of 43 providers was used as an indicator of the effectiveness of BCBST's educa 

tion outreach.

SUSTAINING AND DIFFUSING THE PROGRAM

To ensure the long term viability of this pilot project approach, BCBST is using a medi 

cal record audit tool to measure provider use of standardized developmental screen 

ing. The medical record audit process allows the health plan to monitor provider use

of recommended screening tools.  Standardized developmental screening has been

incorporated into their processes at these provider sites and providers are encouraged

to use the PEDS tool as well as other standardized tools with all of their patients.  In

this way, the benefits of standardized screening are spreading beyond those served by

Medicaid, to the commercial sector as well.

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