Medavie Blue Cross and the Canadian Lung Association have formed a partnership to help link people living with or at risk of chronic respiratory disease to a country-wide network of respiratory care support and awareness services.
The partnership forms the basis of a new targeted disease management approach offered to private plan members and their families beginning in early 2015.
Medavie Blue Cross is the first insurance provider in Canada to introduce this as a new, extended healthcare benefit in group and individual health plans.
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With this new agreement, the Lung Association will work with Medavie Blue Cross to develop an accessible network of lung health professionals across the country. This network of certified respiratory educators—including respiratory therapists, nurses and pharmacists—will offer services, awareness campaigns and risk interventions tied to lung health and disease management.
Medavie Blue Cross says lung disorders are a leading cause of productivity losses from short-term disability absences in Canada and the annual cost of employing a person who smokes has risen to $4,262 per smoking employee.
“We are excited about the potential to help people manage their chronic lung health issues through this innovative benefits plan design, and the partnership with the Canadian Lung Association,” says Shelley Kee, vice-president, group business, with Medavie Blue Cross. “It’s a solid foundation from which we can build as we explore future managing chronic disease programs and partnerships.”
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