April 2, 2001. Less than two weeks after an Institute of Medicine report called for better cooperation in the health care industry, five Minnesota health plans started working together to promote standardized guidelines to treat and prevent about 50 common conditions. Organizers say the effort is the first of its kind in which all major health plans in a state support a set of guidelines for a variety of diseases. The other participating plans are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Medica, PreferredOne and UCare Minnesota. But getting everyone to embrace the guidelines may be tough.
Skeptical physicians wonder if the guidelines are more about saving money than improving quality.
ICSI has developed guidelines since 1993, and some health plans have used its protocols. But physicians, ever suspicious of proposals put forth by plans, will be closely watching implementation of the voluntary guidelines. Dr. Sanders said physicians would also understandably rebel if the health plans fail to reimburse them unless they use the guidelines. And Dr. Bessinger said he hopes the health plans aren't backing the standards just to save money. Health plan officials say they support the guidelines because they promote a high quality of care.