Independence introduces Health of America website

Independence Blue Cross recently introduced a new website, ibx.com/healthofamerica, dedicated to news and information about the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s Health of America initiative. The Health of America initiative aims to understand, measure and help improve the health and well-being of all Americans. It is a source of insights, information, and powerful stories highlighting how Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) companies are leading the way to better health care — and better health — for America....
Read More

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Study Finds Millennials are Less Healthy than Generation X Were at the Same Age

Blue Cross Blue Shield Health of America Graphic - wooden blocks with health icons stacked into a pyramid and text that reads:

Philadelphia millennials are somewhat less healthy than the national average, primarily due to behavioral health conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder

Philadelphia – April 24, 2019 – Millennials in the Philadelphia region are somewhat less healthy than the national average, based on a new Health of America study using the Blue Cross Blue Shield Health IndexSM (BCBS Health Index). ...
Read More

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Health of America Report shows a 33 percent increase in ADHD diagnoses among children in the Philadelphia region

Health of America Graphic featuring students boarding a yellow school bus in the background and text reading: ADHD Diagnoses are most prevalent among middle school children
The number of commercially insured children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increased 33 percent from 2010 to 2017 in the Philadelphia region, according to a new study of medical claims by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). Nationally, almost 2.4 million commercially insured children were diagnosed with ADHD, climbing 31 percent. Part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield,...
Read More

BCBSA Health of America report shows 44% rise in knee and hip replacements as Generation X opts for earlier planned surgeries

Infographic with hip bone and knee circled. Data shows planned hip replacements are up 33%, with an average cost (2010-2017 inflation adjusted) increase of 5%. Planned knee replacements are up 17%, with an average cost (2010-2017 inflation adjusted) increase of 6%
Planned knee and hip replacement procedures continue to climb in cost and volume, particularly among younger Americans, according to a review of medical claims data from 2010-2017 by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). Costing more than $25 billion nationally in 2017, planned orthopedic surgeries account for 47 percent of total orthopedic spending, reflecting a 44 percent increase since 2010....
Read More

Independence Blue Cross reports more members using generics compared with the national average for Blue Cross Blue Shield membership

Spending increases for brand drugs at Independence are lower than national average

At more than $100 billion, prescription drugs represent more than 20 percent of overall health care spending for Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) commercially insured members. Prescription drug spending among branded specialty and patent-protected drugs continues to outpace generic drugs by $79.5 billion,...
Read More

Results show that Independence Blue Cross is making headway in combating the opioid crisis

Efforts have led to reduced opioid use, prescriptions, and abuse

In conjunction with a national Health of America report by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) about opioid use, Independence Blue Cross (Independence) is reporting the success it has achieved in addressing one of nation’s top health crises. The highlights of these results include: Reducing opioid use and prescriptions: Since 2014,...
Read More

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association study shows surge in major depression diagnoses

Major depression rising fastest among adolescents and millennials; Major depression among Independence members, particularly women, is lower than national average

Philadelphia, PA – Major depression diagnoses surged, especially among adolescents and millennials, from 2013 through 2016, according to a study of medical claims by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA)’s Health of America Report....
Read More

Independence Blue Cross reports growing uptake of HPV vaccine

HoA Adolescent Vaccine
34 percent of the area adolescents received a first dose of HPV vaccine by their 13th birthday, but state HPV vaccination rates still low compared to other adolescent immunizations Philadelphia, PA — While human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination rates have risen substantially, just 34 percent of adolescents in the Philadelphia region received a first dose of the vaccine by their 13th birthday,...
Read More

Independence Blue Cross reports increase in children who receive all recommended vaccines

Childhood vaccination rates in the Philadelphia region were 85.4 percent among Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) young commercially insured members from 2010 through 2016.

Proportion of area children receiving all CDC recommended vaccines increased 4.6% over seven years

Philadelphia, PA — Childhood vaccination rates in the Philadelphia region were 85.4 percent among Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) young commercially insured members from 2010 through 2016, according to a new study of medical claims by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA),...
Read More

Diabetes ranks third in health impact on quality of life and costs, per a new report by BCBSA

Independence Blue Cross is tackling the disease from numerous fronts, including doctor and member engagement, using data to identify those in need of help, and community support The prevalence and severity of diabetes, as well as years of life lost due to disability and risk of premature death, ranks third among more than 200 conditions,...
Read More