ODS’ Next-Generation Health Activation Program

ODS’ Next-Generation Health Activation Program ODS Healthcare Services Programs Anchored by the Patient Activation Measure™ Assessment

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ODS recently integrated the Patient Activation Measure (PAM)^TM suite of tools into the company’s Healthcare Services care programs. The PAM suite of interactive tools dramatically enhances the company’s efforts to engage members in actively managing their health and wellness. This advance is in keeping with the ODS commitment to implement proven, science-based approaches to behavior change. ODS is one of the first health plans on the west coast to implement the PAM suite of health activation tools to support a host of member-centric healthcare services.

The Patient Activation Measure tool was developed by Judith Hibbard, Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Oregon to assess an individual’s knowledge, skills and confidence in playing a role in one’s own health and healthcare. By understanding participants’ “activation levels,” ODS health professionals can better tailor participant coaching to an individual’s level of activation, helping him or her identify and overcome barriers to better health.

“We know that higher levels of activation are strongly correlated with improved self-care behaviors,” said Csaba Mera, M.D., ODS Medical Director. “By focusing on increasing a participant’s activation level, our case managers and health coaches can help ODS members build confidence and become better self-managers — key ingredients to help us enhance member engagement and improve health outcomes.”

ODS began implementing the PAM in 2008 with its health coaching programs. The ODS Health Coaching Program supports both disease prevention and the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, asthma, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression and hypertension. This spring, ODS expanded use of the PAM across all ODS healthcare services, including case management, care coordination and medication management therapy.

The Patient Activation Measure assessment, licensed and marketed by Insignia Health, consists of a 10- or 13-question survey that asks people about their, knowledge, skills and confidence for engaging in a wide range of health behaviors. Based on responses to the survey, each member is assigned an activation score and level. The PAM segments participants into one of four progressively higher activation levels. At the low end of the spectrum, individuals tend to be passive in managing their health and typically fail to see the connection between their own behaviors and health outcomes. At the high end, individuals understand that relationship and have become strong self-managers across a constellation of behaviors. However, even high-activation-level individuals may benefit from coaching to stay on course in times of change or stress.

ODS health coaches and case managers are trained in the use of evidence-based care guidelines and motivational interviewing techniques. A PAM score augments these skills to give ODS health coaches and clinical professionals insight into a participant’s self-management abilities and to bring focus to behaviors and skills that are realistic and achievable for a given level of activation. Insignia’s Coaching for Activation^TM online tool, available to coaches, provides guidance around appropriate goals and related action steps for a given level of activation across a host of self-management areas, including medication use, self-monitoring, nutrition and physical activity.

“Successful efforts to stem rising healthcare costs necessitate a focus on activating consumers to be better managers of their own health. Engaging individuals in an activation-level-appropriate manner has demonstrated significant improvement in clinical indicators and related declines in unwarranted utilization,” said Chris Delaney, Insignia’s Chief Executive Officer.

More than 85 studies have documented the importance of activation and the PAM’s ability to measure this construct and to predict a broad range of behaviors, drivers of behavior and health outcomes. These strong correlations also can greatly enhance the credibility of reported outcomes. While return on investment and closing clinical gaps in care remain important metrics, the ability to demonstrate a concurrent improvement in activation increases the likelihood that those positive outcomes can be attributed to the health improvement program.

About ODS

ODS is a multifaceted organization that provides medical, pharmacy, dental, vision and professional liability insurance products, along with a variety of business services, including benefits administration. ODS serves more than 1 million members. Founded in 1955, ODS is Oregon’s leading dental plan and one of the state’s leading medical plans. ODS is a founding member of the Delta Dental Plans Association, the nation’s largest and most experienced dental benefits provider. ODS is headquartered in Portland and has offices in Medford, Ore., Milwaukie, Ore., Bend, Ore., and La Grande, Ore., as well as in Bothell, Wash., and Anchorage, Alaska. For more information, visit www.odscompanies.com.

About Insignia Health

Insignia Health supports organizations and their efforts to help individuals develop the behaviors that are crucial to becoming more active and successful managers of their health and healthcare. This support is anchored by the Patient Activation Measure assessment. Insignia’s tailored products leverage a wealth of self-management insight to help individuals master new, positive behaviors that are realistic given a level of activation. Research has shown consistently that with increased activation comes better health and more effective and efficient use of healthcare resources. More information can be found at www.insigniahealth.com.

ODS

Vice President, Branding and Corporate Communications

Jonathan Nicholas, 503-219-3673

[email protected]

Source: ODS

Copyright Business Wire 2009 ODS recently integrated the Patient Activation MeasureTM suite of tools into the company’s Healthcare Services care programs. The Patient Activation Measure tool was developed by Judith Hibbard, Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Oregon to assess an individual’s knowledge, skills and confidence in playing a role in one’s own health and healthcare.