An Institute of Medicine report cites disparities in the delivery of health care to people of different racial and ethnic groups as a major cause of poor health outcomes.

“Research shows that language and cultural differences between providers and patients are linked to health disparities among minorities. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida seeks to address these gaps by educating doctors about how to approach and establish relationships with patients from various ethnic backgrounds,” says Jennifer Cayanas, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s manager of emerging markets. Some cultures, for example, do not easily discuss cancer within families. In other cases, language can prevent a patient’s understanding a doctor’s diagnosis and treatment. “If a patient doesn’t understand what hypertension means, for example,” says Cayanas, “he or she might focus on the tension part of the term and only take blood pressure medicine when feeling tense or stressed, instead of regularly.”

It is important for physicians to understand cultural differences in order to better communicate, improve diagnosis and gain agreement around and compliance with treatment plans.

Nearly 3,000 primary care doctors statewide have been offered the Quality Interactions course this year. Next year, it will be offered to many specialists who care for our members.

Quest Diagnostics is your participating lab
As a BlueCare member, it’s important to use providers in the Health Options network to ensure coverage. You are fully responsible for all charges when you receive services from non-participating providers. For your clinical laboratory needs, the participating laboratory is Quest Diagnostics Laboratory. Your plan covers extensive services and tests, except for those considered investigational or experimental. For a full discussion of determining coverage, see For Your Information, page 4, “Continually Looking at New Technology”.