Please note, this communication applies to Healthy Blue + Medicare℠ (HMO D-SNP) offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Healthcare Effectiveness Data Information Set (HEDIS®) is a widely used set of performance measures developed and maintained by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). These measures are used to drive improvement efforts surrounding best practices.
The Pharmacotherapy Management of COPD Exacerbation (PCE) measure assesses chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations for adults 40 years of age and older who had appropriate medication therapy to manage an exacerbation. A COPD exacerbation is defined as an acute inpatient discharge or emergency department visit with a primary discharge diagnosis of COPD. Two rates are reported:
Dispensed a systemic corticosteroid (or there is evidence of an active prescription) within 14 days of the event
Dispensed a bronchodilator (or there is evidence of an active prescription) within 30 days of the event. (1)
COPD is a debilitating lung condition that affects one in eight Americans age 45 and older. More than 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, and millions more have it without knowing. (2)
COPD exacerbations make up a significant portion of the costs associated with the disease.
Appropriate prescribing of medication following exacerbation can prevent future flare-ups, improve health outcomes, and reduce the healthcare burden of COPD.(3)
Who Has COPD?(4)
Prevalence By Ethnicity
- 12% American Indians and Alaska Natives
- 7% Non-Hispanic Blacks
- 7% Whites
- 4% Hispanics
- 3% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
- 2% Asians