Quality ManagementAnthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | CommercialAnthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Medicare AdvantageHealthKeepers, Inc. | Anthem HealthKeepers Plus Medicaid productsDecember 12, 2023

Outpatient antibiotics toolkit fact sheet

This communication applies to Medicare Advantage and Commercial plans from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) in Virginia as well as Anthem HealthKeepers Plus members covered by HealthKeepers, Inc.

Antibiotic stewardship, the proper use of antibiotics, is important in the outpatient setting as the majority of prescribing takes place there. Antibiotics can sometimes be prescribed too often and not in proper ways. An estimated 30% to 50% of antibiotic prescriptions are given for viral infections.1 These practices have resulted in different types of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics. This is why we are sharing this toolkit information. We hope these resources, for both you and your office, will be helpful in fighting antibiotic resistance. We offer these as guides and options for you to use in your practice.

Refer to attachment to view full details.

Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, offered by HealthKeepers, Inc., is a health plan that contracts with the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services to provide Medicaid benefits to enrollees. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and its affiliate HealthKeepers, Inc., serving all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123, are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.

VABCBS-CDCRCM-040737-23-CPN39410

ATTACHMENTS: Outpatient antibiotics toolkit fact sheet (pdf - 0.89mb)