NOTE: No CEs are available for this Symposium.

Hypertension is prevalent and costly to managed care, underscoring the need for quality and cost- efficient healthcare to patients. In the managed care environment, pay-for performance initiatives are increasing. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Physician Group Practice (PGP) demonstration project seeks to improve the care management of chronic diseases such as hypertension and supports the implementation of quality initiatives. This presentation focuses on 3 important elements from proven quality initiatives: the education of patients and healthcare providers, the identification of patients with uncontrolled hypertension, and the periodic evaluation of hypertension care management to assess the effects of treatment care. To illustrate the benefits of these elements, The Scott & White Health Plan (SWHP) will be presented as an example with which to motivate adoption of quality initiatives in hypertension care management. 

1. Encourage the implementation of quality programs to improve blood pressure control rates and lower healthcare costs.
2. Present elements from successful quality improvement programs and suggest methods for adopting and using these strategies.
3. Promote proper patient management according to the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) guidelines.