Fact Sheet
MIBAC is a statewide provider-led quality improvement collaborative focused on better care for low back pain by “first-contact” providers – primary care physicians and chiropractors. It is the newest of statewide collaborative quality initiatives supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM).
Problem
Low back pain can be frustrating for both patients and providers. There is often no single cause for the pain that can be “fixed” with one simple approach to treatment. The result is frequent unnecessary imaging studies and referrals, use of unproven therapies, over-use of opioids, and dissatisfied patients who never do get effective pain relief.
Program Goals
- Achieve better and more effective care patterns
- Improve outcomes for patients
- Greater satisfaction for both clinicians and patients.
Participation
MIBAC will have three levels of participation, each voluntary and incentivized. Level 1 is a one-time
provider training. Trained providers can then opt to participate in the more robust Levels 2 and 3,
depending on capabilities, which involve ongoing effort for data collection and quality interventions.
Level 1: Training for primary care physicians and chiropractors (on-line or in-person when feasible; 2 hours for PCPs, 12 hours for chiropractors) will offer a framework for treating low back pain, treatment protocols, and a “toolbox” of resources. This training is evidence-based and will be CME/CE certified.
Level 2:
- Collection of patient-reported outcomes on pain and functional status, via a smart phone app.
- Such data will feed into the MIBAC data registry for analysis and quality improvement.
Level 3:
- Collection of clinical data to the registry.
- Analysis of registry data to identify “best practices” and opportunities for improvement.
- Collaboration on both state-wide and local quality initiatives to improve care across the state - the essence of the CQI model.
Participants
The participants that qualify for each level of participation are:
Level 1: Open to all PGIP Physician Organizations (POs), affiliated PGIP PCP’s and BCBSM PPO network chiropractors immediately.
Levels 2 and 3: For all POs and above providers that complete training in Level 1 and who are willing to promote patients' participation in PRO data collection (Level 2) and who meet case volume and data collection and QI infrastructure requirements for active involvement for Level 3.
About the Coordinating Center
The MIBAC CQI Coordinating Center will be housed at Henry Ford Health in Detroit and led by Program Directors Carrie Stewart MD, Linda Holland, DC and Marjan Moghaddam, DO (bios attached). MIBAC has partnered with Spine Care Partners, a group with extensive experience in successful provider training in several states, to provide the training curriculum. Henry Ford Health is also the coordinating center for another CQI, Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative. In the future, we envision the potential for both CQIs to illustrate the full spectrum of care for back pain patients.
Incentives
Incentives are currently being developed and will be shared during the MIBAC informational webinar.
About the Collaborative Quality Initiatives Program
Sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Care Network, Collaborative Quality Initiatives and Collaborative Process initiatives bring together Michigan physicians and hospital partners to address some of the most common and costly areas of surgical and medical care. These initiatives rely on comprehensive clinical registries that include data on patient risk factors, processes of care, and outcomes of care. Collection and analysis of procedural and outcomes data allows the participants to implement changes in practice, based on the knowledge acquired from the consortium. These changes in practices lead to increased efficiencies, improved outcomes, and enhanced value.
There are 18 Collaborative Quality and Collaborative Process Initiatives that contribute to Blue Cross achieving a lower growth in medical cost trends than the national average. This savings helps hold down health care costs for Blues customers state-wide.
For more information about the BCBSM CQI Program, contact CQIprograms@bcbsm.com.
About Value Partnerships
Value Partnerships is a collection of clinically-oriented initiatives among Michigan physicians, hospitals and Blue Cross that are improving clinical quality, reducing complications, controlling cost trends, eliminating errors, and improving health outcomes throughout Michigan.
The information contained herein is the proprietary information of BCBSM. Any use or disclosure of such information without the prior written consent of BCBSM is prohibited.