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BLUECONNECT
Providers
September 2023
In This Issue
► September news: Executive summary
► Commercial plans transition to MCG care guidelines
► We're streamlining our 2024 HMO product options
► Secondary code edits implementing in November
► Learn + earn credits: Lifestyle medicine and nutrition
Take our Stigma-Free AZ pledge
Learn more about helping patients manage chronic conditions and earn
5.5 CME/CE hours (at no charge)
We’re partnering with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) to invite Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona (AZ Blue) network providers to participate in an evidence-based introduction to lifestyle medicine and nutrition. This complimentary course focuses on helping patients modify lifestyle behaviors as a way to prevent, treat, and even reverse the progression of chronic disease. It includes:
1. Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine (1 hour)
2. Food as Medicine: Nutrition for Prevention and Longevity (3 hours)
3. Food as Medicine: Nutrition for Treatment and Risk Reduction (1.5 hours)
You can REGISTER NOW at https://lifestylemedicine.org/project/essentials/ by following the registration process (includes logging in or creating an account) and entering promo code ESS-BCBSAZ at checkout.
Why it's relevant
Managing chronic diseases, the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., can be frustrating and discouraging for providers and patients alike.
• Healthcare professionals can be overwhelmed by the epidemic levels of debilitating chronic disease.
• Patients may feel defeated by the seemingly relentless cycle of symptom-management efforts and advancing disease. 
A critically important step in chronic disease management is lifestyle modification. Yet, how much time is dedicated to this area of study in most medical schools? The National Academy of Sciences recommends a minimum of 25 hours of training in nutritional education alone.1 Many professionals must look beyond their medical school education to meet this standard. ACLM’s curriculum aims to bolster providers’ knowledge and skills in empowering patients to adopt transformational habits proven to positively affect their health.
More about lifestyle medicine
Lifestyle medicine knowledge and tools equip providers to leverage evidence-based, whole-person, prescriptive lifestyle change to effectively treat and, when used intensively, often reverse chronic conditions. Applying these six pillars of lifestyle medicine across an entire practice also builds habits that can lead to better health and prevent disease:
• A whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern
• Physical activity
• Restorative sleep
• Stress management
• Avoidance of risky substances
• Positive social connections
Share the invitation!
Feel free to extend this invitation and promo code to your colleagues and staff. We understand the urgency of driving down chronic disease in Arizona and are grateful for your partnership in this effort … one member, one patient, one conversation at a time.
In This Issue
► September news: Executive summary
► Commercial plans transition to MCG care guidelines
► We're streamlining our 2024 HMO product options
► Secondary code edits implementing in November
► Learn + earn credits: Lifestyle medicine and nutrition
Take our Stigma-Free AZ pledge
Blue Cross, Blue Shield, the Cross and Shield Symbols, MyBlue, BlueCard, Federal Employee Program, and FEP are registered service marks, and BluePathway and BlueJourney are service marks, of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

American College of Lifestyle Medicine is the medical professional society representing the interdisciplinary field of lifestyle medicine.

1Source: Danek R., Perceptions of Nutrition Education in the Current Medical School Curriculum. Fam Med. 2017 Nov;49(10):803-806.

© 2023 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Inc. All rights reserved.


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