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Help your patients control their blood pressure
September 9, 2022

This article is for primary care providers caring for our members

Keeping blood pressure under control can help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like stroke and heart disease. Nearly half of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure and many of them don’t even know it, according to the American Heart Association. Partnering with your patients on blood pressure and discussing the importance of blood pressure monitoring can help them understand how to control it.

Partnering with clinicians to offer equitable patient care
With the help of Blue Cross and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Atrius Health is taking a thoughtful approach to understanding the reasons behind uncontrolled blood pressure in different races. The team conducted focus groups with clinicians, brainstormed pilot ideas with their population health manager and social work teams, and began doing one-on-one patient interviews.

"We’re using what we learn from our interviews with patients and clinicians to make changes,” said Dr. Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, an internist who specializes in family medicine and head of Atrius Health’s Equity Steering Committee.

Atrius’ innovative strategy includes:

  • Offering patients with uncontrolled hypertension a blood pressure cuff at no cost.
  • Offering video visits with a clinician to monitor hypertension— instead of an in-person visit— to remove barriers like transportation and time constraints. 
  • Screening patients with uncontrolled blood pressure to see if there are socioeconomic factors contributing to hypertension that they can address by offering support, such as providing medically tailored meals to those who may not have access to healthy food.

Read more in Coverage, An innovative approach to inequities.

Tips to help your patients with blood pressure control

Here are some steps you can take for patients with high blood pressure:

  • Encourage patients to monitor blood pressure at home and share their readings. With your guidance, patients can safely and easily monitor their blood pressure at home.
  • Discuss the effects of lifestyle choices on blood pressure. Educate your patients on the relationship between lifestyle choices and high blood pressure, as well as the complications associated with uncontrolled blood pressure.
  • Promote medication adherence. Talk to your patients about the importance of taking their medications as prescribed. Consider prescribing single-pill medications, when possible, to improve adherence and lower patient out-of-pocket costs.

Remote monitoring simplifies blood pressure management

Blood pressure readings can be taken remotely during telehealth or phone visits using digital reading devices that allow you to document results in your patients’ charts.

Many of our patients may be eligible to receive digital reading devices at no cost by using their health savings account, or by participating in one of our health management programs. We also work with third-party vendors like Livongo® to provide our members with tools and support to help them manage their blood pressure.

HEDIS®’ measure for blood pressure control

The HEDIS controlling high blood pressure (CPB) measure assesses adults:

  • Ages 18–85 with a billed diagnosis of hypertension within the last year, AND
  • Whose most recent blood pressure reading is <140/90 mm Hg.

When reporting on the HEDIS blood pressure control measure, it is okay to document the average blood pressure reading, but ranges are not eligible for use.

Blood pressure control programs available to our members

Eligible Federal Employee Program (FEP) members can access cuffs through the Hypertension Management Program. FEP members are automatically enrolled in this program when you submit a claim indicating they have hypertension.

Eligible Medicare Advantage members also have a remote monitoring program for hypertension.  You can direct your patient to contact the Member Service phone number on their ID card for more information.

As always, thank you for the care you give to your patients—our members.

 

HEDIS®' is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).


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