Blue Cross of California (Blue Cross) and the San Diego-based California Health Alliance (CHA), a not-for-profit affiliate of the San Diego County Medical Society, have announced a new initiative dedicated to assisting San Diego County physicians reduce administrative burdens and costs through the use and implementation of new technologies and enhancing the health status of Blue Cross members through education and promotion of best clinical care practices.

Both parties will contribute financial, technical and staff-based resources to accomplish the goals and objectives of the project.

According to Dr. Woodrow Myers, chief medical officer for Blue Cross: “We are engaged in this effort as a direct and quantifiable step towards improving our relationships with physicians, not just in our network, but in the community. We want them to have 21st-century tools and knowledge that will help them improve the efficiency of their offices and the health outcome of our members.”

Myers stated that this program can have enormous impact on the health of the community by facilitating best practice medical care using the latest advances in information technology. “We are very pleased to be involved in this effort. This is an appropriate and significant way to use our resources,” he said.

Dr. Stephen H. Carson, chief medical officer of the CHA, is excited with the structure and goals of the initiative. “Blue Cross has recognized the value of new technology in reducing the administrative costs and burdens for the physician,” Carson said.

One of the key initiatives of the new relationship will be an educational component for physicians. Blue Cross will provide funding to allow the CHA to conduct regular seminars for San Diego physicians and physician groups that focus on a variety of topics, including computer technology in medicine, best practice guidelines, patient education, HIPAA compliance and patient confidentiality, patient satisfaction and service and maximizing quality of patient care.