July 2017

The Obesity Epidemic and the CDC’s 6/18 Initiative

In partnering with our providers to ensure members receive the best possible care, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) recognizes the importance of focusing on preventative care and evidence-based interventions.

The 6/18 Initiative, implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recognizes the following six health conditions that yield high costs, and therefore are high-burden disease processes:

1. Tobacco use
2. Health care associated infections
3. High blood pressure
4. Asthma
5. Unintended pregnancy
6. Diabetes

These six conditions are coupled with interventions to drive down – or at least control – the high health care costs associated with them.

Several of these disease processes can be associated with being overweight or obese. BCBSTX recognizes the importance of counseling members on their weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), nutrition and physical activity practices.

The tables below show our year-over-year Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS^®) rates for Weight Counseling, Nutrition and Physical Activity Counseling measure (WCC) for HEDIS STAR and CHIP. Because the rate of obesity is increasing in adults and children, counseling and referrals for these members need to take place in their medical home by their primary care physician. This will help their current state of health and help them from succumbing to other disease processes in the future.

Remember to document your patient education counseling for BMI, nutrition and physical activity in your medical records. Also, utilizing the CDC Growth Charts can assist you and your patients in monitoring weight, height and BMI development. Every step you take in educating your patients on healthy choices takes us one step closer to eradicating the obesity epidemic in the U.S.

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